Ketamine for Acute Pain Management and Sedation

Ketamine is beneficial in clinical settings ranging from procedural sedation to the treatment of chronic pain. This article describes the clinical benefits of ketamine for treatment of acute pain and for sedation of patients undergoing mechanical ventilation.

Ketamine causes analgesic and amnestic effects by noncompetitive inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and activation of the opioid μ and κ receptors. Unlike other sedatives, ketamine provides analgesia and amnesia without causing hypotension or respiratory depression. Several studies have elucidated the clinical benefits of ketamine. The use of ketamine has extended beyond critical care areas such as the operating room and intensive care units. Nurses must be familiar with optimal clinical scenarios, monitoring parameters, and contraindications of ketamine.

To highlight the clinical utility and pharmacological properties of ketamine through a literature review. Current studies of ketamine in acute pain and sedation management are summarized.

This narrative review describes pharmacological properties, dosing strategies, adminis-tration considerations, and adverse effects of ketamine.