Ketamine-diazepam anaesthesia in a patient with carcinoid syndrome

The use of ketamine in patients with carcinoid syndrome is controversial because of the catecholamine response to this agent. Prior administration of diazepam modifies the catecholamine response to ketamine and may make its use in such patients safe. The successful use of a diazepam-ketamine technique for anaesthesia of a patient with malignant carcinoid syndrome and associated tricuspid valve disease who underwent laparotomy and hepatic artery ligation is described. The theoretical advantages of safe ketamine anaesthesia in carcinoid patients are discussed and the relevant literature reviewed. To the authors' knowledge the successful use of ketamine anaesthesia in carcinoid syndrome has not previously been reported.