Comparison between intranasal dexmedetomidine and intranasal ketamine as premedication for procedural sedation in children undergoing MRI: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Optimal doses of intranasal esketamine plus dexmedetomidine for sedating toddlers during transthoracic echocardiography: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial

INTRODUCTION

Esketamine has unique advantages in combination with dexmedetomidine for sedation in young children, owing to its sympathetic activity and mild respiratory depression. However, the optimal dose is yet to be determined. In this study, we compared the different doses of intranasal esketamine combined with dexmedetomidine for sedation during transthoracic echocardiography in toddlers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 121 eligible children aged 13 years, who were scheduled for transthoracic echocardiography were randomized into three groups. They were treated with intranasal dexmedetomidine 1 mcg.kg-1 + esketamine 0.5 mg.kg-1 (group S1), dexmedetomidine 1 mcg.kg-1 + esketamine 1 mg.kg-1 (group S2), or dexmedetomidine 1 mcg.kg-1 + esketamine 1.5 mg.kg-1 (group S3). The primary outcome was the success rate of sedation, other outcomes included HR, SpO2, onset time, wake-up time, and adverse effects.

RESULTS

The success rate of sedation was significantly higher in groups S2 (85.4%) and S3 (87.5%) than ingroup S1 (60%) (p = 0.004). The baseline HR and SpO2 did not differ between the groups at the corresponding time points following drug administration. The onset time and duration of sedation in group S1 were significantly longer than those in groups S2 and S3 (p = 0.000). However, there were no differences in the wake-up time or adverse effects among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal administration of 1 mg.kg-1 esketamine combined with 1 mcg.kg-1 dexmedetomidine provided satisfactory sedation in young children undergoing transthoracic echocardiography. This sedative approach offers a rapid onset of awakening with few side effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2200060976, 2022/06/14 (trail from August 2022 to January 2023).

Comparison of intranasal dexmedetomidine and ketamine for paediatric premedication: A randomized study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Paediatric patients are given premedication in order to decrease preoperative anxiety, allow smooth induction, and prevent postoperative psychological insult and behavioural changes. A child friendly method of administration is desirable. We compared intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine and ketamine in the operating room environment, to evaluate the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) score at the time of establishing intravenous access for induction of general anaesthesia.

METHODS

This prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted at a tertiary care center. One hundred patients, 2-10 years of age, ASA physical status 1 & 2, scheduled for general anaesthesia were enrolled. Patient's presedation behaviour was assessed by the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale Short Form (mYPAS-SF). Patients in Group D received Dexmedetomidine 1 mcg/kg intranasally, and patients in Group K received Ketamine 5 mg/kg intranasally. After 45 min, patients were transferred to the operating table where intravenous cannulation was carried out and the response to needle insertion was assessed by FLACC scale. Vital signs, including the pulse-oximetry, heart rate and respiratory rate were monitored. Side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and agitation were also recorded.

RESULTS

A significantly higher FLACC score was seen in Group D as compared to Group K (p = 0.001). The mean heart rate between two groups was found to be significantly (p = 0.001) lower in Group D compared to Group K. However, the proportion of adverse events was 8% in patients who received ketamine.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal ketamine in a dose of 5 mg/kg is clinically more effective as premedication in children aged 2-10 years in comparison with intranasal dexmedetomidine in a dose of 1 mcg/kg.

Safety and Efficacy of Intranasal Ketamine for Minor Pediatric Procedures: A Systemic Literature Review

Compared to intravenous anesthetics, intranasal medication for sedation is a less invasive approach. Intranasal ketamine (IK) is a widely used medication for procedural sedation. Hence, a systematic review was conducted with the aim of evaluating the safety and efficacy of IK among pediatric patients used for procedural sedation. For this purpose, a literature search was conducted on PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. A total of 247 search results appeared after running the developed query and eight articles passed through the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the study. Most of the studies used 4 to 7 mg/kg dose of IK for pediatric patients. It was found that there was a moderate correlation between the age and dose of IK. Similarly, the dose of IK also had a direct and moderate correlation with the onset of sedation. Regarding the reported side effects, most of the studies reported nausea and vomiting as side effects of IK. Hence, it could be concluded from the study findings that effective sedation can be achieved by using 4 to 7 mg/kg dose of IK. The reported side effects of IK were minor while parental satisfaction with the drug was very high. Therefore, it can be concluded that the use of IK for procedural sedation among pediatric patients is safe and effective.

Effects of different doses of intranasal dexmedetomidine on related complications and parents' satisfaction in anesthetized children: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Agitation/delirium is commonly seen in children after anesthesia, and a proper dose of dexmedetomidine can prevent this complication. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different doses of Dexmedetomidine (DEX) on agitation/delirium and other complications in anesthetized children, providing clinical evidence for dose recommendations of DEX.

METHODS

This study was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). A systematic search was conducted in the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Two independent researchers performed literature screening, data extraction, and assessed the methodological quality. Data analysis was conducted using R and STATA 16.0.

RESULTS

In the final analysis, 20 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 2521 children were included. The results showed that in comparison to normal saline, 1 µg/kg, 1.5 µg/kg, and 2 µg/kg intranasal DEX significantly reduced the incidence of post-anesthetic emergence agitation in children with the most effective dose being 2 µg/kg (SUCRA = 0.91). Compared with normal saline, 1 µg/kg, 1.5 µg/kg, and 2 µg/kg intranasal DEX reduced patient's need for postoperative analgesia, with the most effective dose being 1.5 µg/kg (SUCRA = 0.78). However, 1 µg/kg DEX performed the best in reducing Pediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) Scale score (SUCRA = 0.88).

CONCLUSION

Compared with normal saline, intranasal administration of 2 µg/kg DEX and 1.5 µg/kg DEX are the optimal doses to reduce the incidence of agitation and the need for postoperative pain relief in children under general anesthesia. Given effectiveness and safety, intranasal use of 1 µg/kg DEX appears to be the most effective dosage for anesthetized children.

Comparison of the efficacy of intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine versus intranasal atomised ketamine as a premedication for sedation and anxiolysis in children undergoing spinal dysraphism surgery: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Preoperative anxiety leads to adverse clinical outcomes and long-term maladaptive behavioural changes. The role of intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine and atomised ketamine as premedication to produce sedation and anxiolysis in paediatric neurosurgical patients has not been extensively studied.

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine and intranasal atomised ketamine as premedication in producing sedation and facilitating smooth induction in children undergoing spinal dysraphism surgery.

DESIGN

A prospective randomised double-blind trial.

SETTING

A tertiary teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Sixty-four children aged 1 to 10 years undergoing spinal dysraphism surgery.

METHODS

Children were randomised to receive intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine 2.5 μg kg -1 (Group D, n  = 32) and intranasal atomised ketamine 5 mg kg -1 (Group K, n  = 32) 30 min before surgery.

OUTCOMES MEASURED

The primary outcome was to compare the level of sedation in both groups using the University of Michigan Sedation Score (UMSS). The secondary outcomes included an assessment of the ease of parental separation, intravenous cannulation and satisfactory mask acceptance along with perioperative vitals (heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen saturation). The incidence of emergence agitation and time to discharge were also noted.

RESULTS

The degree of sedation was significantly better in Group D as compared to Group K at 20 min (UMSS, 1.55 ± 0.51 versus 1.13 ± 0.34, difference, -0.406; 95% CI, -0.621 to -0.191; P  = 0.0001) and 30 min (2.32 ± 0.6 versus 1.94 ± 0.50, difference, -0.374; 95% CI, -0.650 to -0.100; P  = 0.007). The ease of parental separation, venous cannulation and mask acceptance ( P  = 0.83, 0.418 and 0.100 respectively) were comparable in both groups. The heart rate was lower in group D at 10, 20 and 30 min post-drug administration but was clinically insignificant. The incidence of emergence agitation and time to discharge was also similar with no adverse events reported.

CONCLUSION

Intranasal atomised dexmedetomidine produces greater sedation as compared to intranasal atomised ketamine with comparable ease of parental separation, venous cannulation and mask acceptance with no adverse effects.

Dexmedetomidine versus midazolam as intranasal premedication for intravenous deep sedation in pediatric dental treatment

Background/purpose

Optimal sedation management for pediatric dental treatment demands special focus as it's tubeless and shares a same oral space. The study was to evaluate dexmedetomidine compared to midazolam for intranasal premedication in pediatric dental treatment under intravenous deep sedation.

Materials and methods

A hundred children aged 3-7 years scheduled for elective dental treatment under intravenous deep sedation anesthesia were enrolled, of whom 50 children (Group D) were intranasally premedicated with 2.0 μg/kg dexmedetomidine and the remaining 50 children (Group M) received traditional 0.2 mg/kg midazolam. Acceptance rate of venipuncture was regarded as the primary endpoint.

Results

The acceptance rate of venipuncture in Group D and Group M were 76% versus 52%, respectively (P = 0.021). More children in Group M complained about bitter/sour taste than Group D (62% vs. 8%, P < 0.001). Intraoperatively, children in Group M were found to have more choking cough than Group D (30% vs. 9%, P = 0.003), and patients in Group M required more suction (18 [36%] in Group M vs. 4 [8%] in Group D, P = 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups in the incidences of temporal hypoxemia (SpO2 ≤ 90%), however, two children in Group M experienced hypoxemia over 10 s.

Conclusion

Compared to the 0.2 mg/kg midazolam, children premedicated with 2.0 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine showed superior venipuncture acceptance, had less intraoperative choking cough and required fewer suction. It seems to be a good alternative to midazolam as premedication for deep sedation in pediatric dental treatment.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for Pain Management in Older Patients: A Cross-Over, Randomized, Double-Blinded, Active-Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Daily care procedures provoke breakthrough pain and anxiety in palliative situations. Dexmedetomidine may be an alternative to opioids during nursing procedures for older patients.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine with subcutaneous opioids on the intensity of pain and anxiety during comfort management procedures.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized, active-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial (NCT03151863). Patients aged ≥ 65 years were randomized to receive, 45 min before nursing care, either intranasal dexmedetomidine together with subcutaneous placebo or intranasal placebo together with a subcutaneous opioid. Each of these two interventions were administered in a cross-over design and spaced out over a 24- or 48-h period. The primary outcome was the number of patients with an Elderly Caring Pain Assessment score > 5. Secondary outcomes included pain, sedation score, and vital signs.

RESULTS

Because of difficult recruitment, the trial was interrupted after the inclusion of 24 patients. Three patients withdrew after randomization, leaving 21 patients undergoing 42 complete sessions for descriptive analyses. Of the 21 patients, 12 (57.1%) were women, and their median age was 84 years, interquartile range (75-87 years). Nine (42.9%) patients presented an Elderly Caring Pain Assessment score > 5 when receiving subcutaneous opioids, and seven (33.3%) with intranasal dexmedetomidine. Hypoxemia occurred in a single patient receiving subcutaneous opioids. No episode of bradycardia was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Intranasal dexmedetomidine is feasible in elderly patients and may be an alternative to opioids to ensure comfort during nursing care. Future studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of this procedure.

Nurse-led dexmedetomidine sedation for magnetic resonance imaging in children: a 6-year quality improvement project

We aimed to safely introduce dexmedetomidine into a nurse-led sedation service for magnetic resonance imaging in children. Secondary aims were to increase the number of children eligible for sedation and to increase the actual number of children having sedation performed by our nurse sedation team. We analysed 1768 consecutive intravenous and 219 intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation episodes in infants, children and adolescents having magnetic resonance imaging scans between March 2016 and March 2022. The overall sedation success rate was 98.4%, with a 98.9% success rate for intravenous dexmedetomidine and a 95.0% success rate for intranasal dexmedetomidine. The incidence of scan interruption during intravenous and intranasal dexmedetomidine sedation was 8.8% and 21.9%, respectively. We conclude that paediatric sedation with dexmedetomidine for magnetic resonance scanning is safe and successful.

Effect of oral esketamine on preoperative sedation and venipuncture analgesia in pediatric patients: a prospective randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2323639/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Background Anxiety and uncooperation are common among pediatric patients during the preoperative preparation, which requires adequate and appropriate analgesia and sedation. Methods We performed a prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial involving 1–6-year-old pediatric patients scheduled for elective tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy between December 2020 and May 2021. Patients were randomly assigned to control (group C), esketamine 1 mg.kg− 1 (group EK1), or esketamine 2 mg.kg− 1 (group EK2) group. Venipuncture analgesia, cooperation, and sedation, as well as satisfaction upon parent–child separation, cooperation, sedation, and adverse events, were compared among the three groups. Dynamic changes in the sedation score and vital signs were monitored. Results A total of 88 pediatric patients were analyzed, with 29, 29, and 30 patients in groups C, EK1, and EK2, respectively. Compared with group C, groups EK1 and EK2 both had better analgesia during venipuncture (P < 0.001). In addition, better cooperation and sedation was noticed in groups EK1 and EK2 during parent–child separation and venipuncture than in group C. Compared with the baseline, the mean respiratory rate had a significant decrease from 25.6 ± 0.3 to 24.6 ± 0.4 breaths/min at 30 min after the esketamine administration in group EK2, although it was still within normal limits (P = 0.030). There were no significant differences in adverse events among three groups. Conclusions Preoperative oral administration of 1 or 2 mg.kg− 1 esketamine in pediatric patients could achieve effective analgesia and sedation. Oral medication of 2 mg.kg− 1 esketamine had more pronounced effects. Trial registration : This clinical trial was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2000040739) on 08/12/2020.

Comparison of single-shot nebuliser protocol between dexmedetomidine and ketamine in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND

Sedation for magnetic resonance imaging mandates deep sedation to ensure patient immobility. The nebulised route of drug delivery carries the advantage of good bioavailability and safety profile. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of nebulised dexmedetomidine and ketamine for sedation in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging.

METHODS

A total of 71 children, aged two to eight years scheduled for outpatient magnetic resonance imaging were randomly allocated to receive nebulised dexmedetomidine 2 μg/kg (group D) or nebulised ketamine 2 mg/kg (group K) 30min before magnetic resonance imaging.

RESULTS

Nebulised dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg) resulted in faster onset and significantly better sedation scores with rapid clear-headed recovery. Ketamine resulted in better venepuncture scores but was associated with more neuropsychological events at recovery.

CONCLUSION

Nebulised dexmedetomidine at 2 μg/kg provides rapid onset of satisfactory sedation, with good parental separation and a quicker and more clear-headed recovery, allowing for a smooth magnetic resonance imaging experience.

Efficacy and safety of intranasal ketamine compared with intranasal dexmedetomidine as a premedication before general anesthesia in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

To compare the efficacy and safety of intranasal ketamine with intranasal dexmedetomidine as a premedication in pediatric patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective surgery or other procedures.

SOURCE

We conducted a systematic literature search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, LILACS, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and trial registries for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing intranasal ketamine with intranasal dexmedetomidine as preanesthetic medication in elective surgery or other procedures in pediatric patients. We used Review Manager software version 5.4.1 for statistical analysis and adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We assessed the methodological quality of the included studies with the RoB 2 risk of bias tool. All outcomes were pooled using the Mantle-Haenszel method and a random-effects model. The quality of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Out of 2,445 full texts assessed, we included ten RCTs in the analysis. The efficacy outcomes did not fulfill the comparability criteria between intranasal ketamine and intranasal dexmedetomidine for sedation at parental separation (risk ratio [RR], 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 1.04; I2 = 89%; GRADE evidence, low), mask acceptance (RR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.66 to 1.13; I2 = 50%; GRADE evidence, low), and iv canulation (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.69; I2 = 69%; GRADE evidence, very low). Intranasal ketamine-treated patients showed a higher incidence of nausea and vomiting (RR, 2.47; 95% CI, 1.24 to 4.91; I2 = 0; GRADE evidence, moderate). Significantly more bradycardia was observed in the intranasal dexmedetomidine group (RR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.70; I2 = 40%; GRADE evidence, moderate) than in the ketamine group.

CONCLUSION

The low to very low-quality evidence in this systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs neither confirmed nor refuted comparable premedication efficacy of intranasal ketamine and dexmedetomidine in terms of parental separation, mask acceptance, and iv cannulation in a pediatric population. Clinical decision-making is likely to be influenced by differences in gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety profiles.

STUDY REGISTRATION

PROSPERO (CRD42021262516); registered 22 July 2021.

Comparative Study of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Versus Intranasal Ketamine as Premedicant in Children

Background: Pre-operative anxiety in children not only makes induction difficult but it is also associated with an increase in the requirement of analgesics, the incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV), emergence delirium (ED), and postoperative maladaptive behavioral changes. It can be reduced effectively by pharmacological interventions. In a quest to find the ideal premedicant and non-invasive way of its administration, we decided to compare intranasal (IN) dexmedetomidine with IN ketamine as a premedicant in pediatric patients.

Aims and objectives: To compare sedation score, mask acceptance score (MAS) during induction, the incidence of ED, and other adverse events in both groups.

Material and methods: Some 60 children, between 1 and 8 years of age of either sex undergoing surgical procedures were included in this study and randomly divided into two groups (Group D and Group K). Thirty minutes prior to induction of anesthesia, patients of Group D received dexmedetomidine 1 mcg kg^-1 in 1 mL of 0.9% saline intranasally and patients of Group K received ketamine 5 mg kg^-1 in 1 mL of 0.9% saline intranasally through calibrated dropper (0.5 mL in each nostril) in a recumbent position. Incidences of sneezing or coughing after IN administration of study drugs were recorded. The subsequent sedation scores were assessed using MOASS at 15 min, then at 30 min following premedication at the time of parental separation. After shifting patients to operation theater inhalation induction was done. MAS at induction and any adverse effects were recorded.

Results: Children in Group K were found to be significantly more sedated at 30 min after administration of premedication and mask acceptance was also better (p value < 0.0001 with a confidence interval, CI=95%). But the incidence of ED and PONV was high.

Conclusion: Intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 mcg kg^-1) is clinically less effective as a premedicant in terms of sedation and mask acceptance in older children as compared to ketamine (5 mg kg^-1), but associated with fewer incidence of ED and PONV. We recommend the usage of IN dexmedetomidine in a higher dose (1.5-2 mcg kg^-1), through nebulization/atomizer for the desired level of sedation and mask acceptance.

A Pilot Study Testing Intranasal Ketamine for the Treatment of Procedural Anxiety in Children Undergoing Laceration Repair

Identifying non-invasive methods for anxiolysis is becoming increasingly important in the pediatric emergency department (ED). Few studies have examined the use of intranasal (IN) ketamine for procedural anxiolysis. We aim to evaluate if IN ketamine provides satisfactory anxiolysis for patients undergoing laceration repair based on anxiety and sedation scoring. We also evaluated the feasibility of using IN ketamine in future trials based on its tolerability and side-effects. A pilot study evaluating IN ketamine in the treatment of procedural anxiety for patients, 2 years and older, weighing 40 kg or less, presenting to the pediatric ED with lacerations. The need for anxiolysis was defined by an elevated modified-Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale-Short Form (mYPAS-SF) score. Patients received 5 mg/kg of IN ketamine in addition to topical anesthesia, mYPAS-SF scoring before and during the procedure, sedation scoring, adverse events, vital signs, age, weight, laceration size and location, and satisfaction surveys were recorded. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, with mean age of 61 ± 29.2 months and mean weight of 21 ± 6.4 kg. Lacerations were located on the face, extremities, and groin with mean size of 2.1 cm. A decrease in anxiety levels was observed, from median m-YPAS-SF score of 66.7 (62.50-80.2) to 33.3 (27.09-52.00), p < 0.001. Among the patients, 92% (n = 23) were less anxious during the procedure. IN ketamine appears to be safe and well-tolerated with a positive impact on procedural anxiety. A dosage of 5 mg/kg is a reasonable starting point, as 80% of patients had appropriate anxiolysis.

Recovery characteristics and parental satisfaction in pediatric procedural sedation

BACKGROUND

Despite being a standard of care for children undergoing stressful procedures, little data exist on parental perception of pediatric sedation.

AIMS

This study aimed to investigate recovery characteristics and parental satisfaction for pediatric sedations performed with four widely used sedative regimens.

METHODS

A prospective observational study was conducted at the Institute for Maternal and Child Health of Trieste, Italy, enrolling children undergoing procedural sedation with one of the following pharmacological regimens: propofol, propofol + midazolam, ketamine + propofol, and dexmedetomidine + midazolam. A questionnaire was used to assess the occurrence of symptoms upon recovery from sedation and the following day, and the caregivers' satisfaction for both the recovery pattern and the overall sedation experience, according to a numerical rating scale (0-10). Answers were collected through a telephone survey. The primary outcome was the difference in the quality of the recovery as perceived by caregivers; the secondary and tertiary outcomes were the perceived quality of the overall sedation experience and the frequency of sedation-related adverse events, respectively.

RESULTS

Data from 655 patients, 149 receiving propofol, 245 propofol + midazolam, 134 ketamine + propofol, and 127 dexmedetomidine + midazolam, were analyzed. The level of parents' satisfaction for both the recovery and the sedation experience was overall high and increased with the patients' age in all the pharmacological groups (Spearman's rank correlation, ρ .083, p = .033, and ρ .087, p = .026, respectively), with no statistically significant differences between groups when adjusting for age. The occurrence of irritability, prolonged sleepiness, hyperactivity, unsteadiness, hallucinations, emesis, and respiratory distress at any moment negatively affected parental satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, caregivers' satisfaction with pediatric sedation was high, regardless of the regimen used. Lower parental satisfaction was associated with younger age, irritability after sedation, prolonged sleepiness, hyperactivity, unsteadiness, hallucinations, emesis, and respiratory distress.

Use of Intranasal Ketamine in Pediatric Patients in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVES

Ketamine is a safe and widely used sedative and analgesic in the pediatric emergency department (ED). The use of intranasal (IN) ketamine in exchange for the administration of intravenous sedatives or analgesics for procedural sedation in pediatric patients is not commonplace. The goal of this study was to evaluate provider perceptions and patient outcomes at varying doses of IN ketamine for anxiolysis, agitation, or analgesia.

METHODS

From January 2018 to May 2018, we performed a prospective survey and chart review of pediatric patients receiving IN ketamine. The primary outcome was to determine provider satisfaction with using IN ketamine. Secondary objectives included comparing outcomes stratified by dose, adverse events, assessing for treatment failure, and ED length of stay (LOS). As a secondary comparison, patients receiving IN ketamine whom otherwise would have required procedural sedation with intravenous sedatives or analgesics were placed into a subgroup. This subgroup of patients was compared with a cohort who received intravenous sedatives or analgesics for procedural sedation during a similar period the preceding year (January 2017 to June 2017).

RESULTS

Of the 196 cases, 100% of the providers were comfortable using IN ketamine. The median overall provider satisfaction was 90 out of 100, the perception of patient comfort was 75 out of 100, and perceived patient comfort was maximized when using doses between 3 and 5 mg/kg. There were 15 (7.7%) patients who experienced ketamine treatment failure. Overall, the rate of adverse events was 6%, but were considered minor [nausea (n = 3; 1.5%), dizziness (n = 2; 1%), and drowsiness (n = 2; 1%)]. No patients required respiratory support or intubation. The mean LOS was 237.9 minutes, compared with those who underwent procedural sedation with an LOS of 332.4 minutes (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that IN ketamine was able to provide safe and successful analgesia and anxiolysis in pediatric patients in an ED setting. In addition, providers expressed a high degree of satisfaction with using IN ketamine (90 out of 100) in addition to a high degree of patient comfort during the procedure (75 out of 100). Intranasal ketamine provides an alternative to intravenous medication normally requiring more resource-intensive monitoring. Procedural sedations are resource and time intensive activities that increase ED LOS. Intranasal ketamine used for anxiolysis and analgesia offers the benefits of freeing up resources of staff and monitoring while enhancing overall throughput through a pediatric ED.

The frequency of emergence delirium in children undergoing outpatient anaesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect on the occurrence of emergence delirium of propofol and ketofol with intranasal dexmedetomidine and midazolam applied as premedication to paediatric patients during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

The study included children aged 2-10 years who received sedation for MRI, separated into four groups. Group MP (midazolam-propofol) received intranasal midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) for premedication and intravenous (IV) propofol (1 mg/kg) as the anaesthetic agent. Group MK (midazolam-ketofol) received intranasal midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) for premedication and IV ketofol (1 mg/kg) as the anaesthetic agent. Group DP (dexmedetomidine-propofol) received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg) for premedication and IV propofol (1 mg/kg) as the anaesthetic agent. Group DK (dexmedetomidine-ketofol) received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg) for premedication and IV ketofol (1 mg/kg) as the anaesthetic agent. The Paediatric Anaesthesia Emergence Delirium (PAED) scale was used to evaluate delirium. A PAED score ≥ 10 was accepted as delirium.

RESULTS

Statistical analysis was made of 140 paediatric patients. Delirium developed in 1.42% of all the patients, and in 5.7% of Group MP. The mean Aldrete and PAED scores were lower and the length of stay in the recovery room was shorter in Group DP than in the other groups. The need for additional anaesthetic was highest in Group DP at 94.3% and lowest in Group DK at 14.3%. The groups administered ketofol were observed to have a lower requirement for additional anaesthetic.

CONCLUSION

Delirium was seen at a very low rate only in the Group MP and it is difficult to say the best combination in terms of delirium frequency. However, intranasal dexmedetomidine and IV ketofol seem to be better and safer than the other groups in terms of the need for additional doses and the number of side effects. The addition of ketamine to propofol reduces the need for additional doses with a synergistic effect.

Trends in Pediatric MRI sedation/anesthesia at a tertiary medical center over time

BACKGROUND

Each year, hundreds of thousands of children require sedation/anesthesia to facilitate MRI scans. Anesthetic techniques for accomplishing sedation/anesthesia vary widely between institutions and providers, with unclear implications for patient safety.

AIMS

We sought to establish trends in anesthetic practice for pediatric MRI sedation/anesthesia across a 7-year period and determine rates of adverse events, considering technique used, age, and ASA physical classification status (ASA-PS).

METHODS

Using established data resources, we analyzed 24 052 anesthetics performed by anesthesiologists for MRI scans between 5/1/2013 and 12/31/2019 on patients less than 18 years old, focusing on medications used, trends of use, and associated adverse events. Adverse events (hypoxia, hypotension, bradycardia) were defined by deviation from age norms and accessed via the electronic anesthetic record database. The Cochran-Armitage test was used to assess trends over time in categorical data, and one-way ANOVA was used to analyze continuous data. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was implemented to determine the independent associations between anesthetic technique and adverse events while adjusting for age, ASA-PS, and weight.

RESULTS

The most significant trends noted were a decrease in "propofol-only" anesthetic techniques and an increase in propofol and dexmedetomidine combination techniques. Mild desaturation (80-89% SpO₂ ) occurred in 4.22% of cases with more significant hypoxia much rarer (0.44% of cases having desaturation <70% SpO₂ ). Bradycardia occurred in 2.39% of cases and hypotension in 1.75% of cases. Major adverse events were rare.

CONCLUSIONS

We provide the largest report of the nature of MRI sedation/anesthesia as practiced by anesthesiologists in a large children's hospital. We demonstrate that, even in a large system, anesthetic techniques are pliable and shift significantly over time. Our data also support a high level of safety within our system, despite a case mix likely higher in risk than those in most of the previously published studies.

Comeback of ketamine: resurfacing facts and dispelling myths

Initially known as CI-581, ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 as a replacement from phencyclidine. It has since been used as an anesthetic and analgesic. In addition, it has bronchodilating, sedative, and amnestic properties, preserving airway reflexes and sympathetic nervous system tone. Since the discovery of ketamine, it has been a major topic of discussion due to controversies regarding its usage in particular sets of patients. In the past 50 years, despite its potential benefits, it is not commonly used because of concerns of "emergence phenomenon," its use as a substance of abuse, and its systemic side effects. Since 2012, three World Health Organization reviews on ketamine have addressed its international control. Researchers have been studying this wonder drug for a decade worldwide. Many myths of ketamine regarding emergence phenomenon and its use in traumatic brain injury and open eye injury have been disproved in recent times. It is becoming popular in pre-hospital settings, critical care, emergency medicine, low-dose acute pain services, and adjuvant in regional anesthesia techniques. This review highlights the current consensus on the various applications of ketamine in the literature.

Repeated Doses of Ketamine Affect the Infant Rat Urogenital System

AIM

Long-term ketamine use is known to create an interstitial cystitis-like problem in the bladder. It is known that long-term intermittent ketamine is applied to the children receiving radiotherapy for sedation. This study was planned to investigate whether this effect seen in the bladder causes similar changes in the kidneys, testicles, epididymis and ductus deferens.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 12 male Wistar Albino rats for 3 weeks were used in the study. Rats were divided equally into 2 groups as, ketamine and saline. 50 mg/kg ketamine was administered intraperitoneally during 21 days to ketamine (K) groups. 1mL/kg saline was administered intraperitoneally during 21 days to saline (S) groups. At the end of 21 days kidney and testicular tissues were taken for biochemical and histopathological evaluations.

RESULTS

Histological assessment of kidney tissue showed that tubule epithelial congestion increased significantly in the ketamine group. Epididymis congestion and distortion in the epididymal gland were found to be different in the ketamine group when testicular tissue was examined. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) level in testicular and kidney tissue was found to be significantly higher in the ketamine group according to the saline group. Catalase (CAT) enzyme activity was significantly lower in the ketamine group compared to the saline group in both tissues. Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) enzyme activity was significantly higher in the ketamine group compared to the saline group.

CONCLUSION

We think that the results we have achieved in this study will provide guidance on ketamine, which is repeated in daily anesthesia applications, especially in radiation oncology. But these findings should be supported by clinical and experimental studies that will be conducted in a more detailed and broad series.

Comparative study between intranasal dexmedetomidine and intranasal ketamine as a premedication for anxiolysis and sedation before pediatric general anesthesia

Background

This study compared dexmedetomidine versus ketamine as regard sedation and anxiolysis produced by giving them through intranasal route to pediatric patients undergoing adenotonsillectomy. This study was double-blinded randomized comparative prospective interventional clinical study done in Ain Shams University Hospital (El Demerdash Hospital) on 76 pediatric patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy, and they were randomly allocated equally into two main groups; group D received 2 μg/kg intranasal dexmedetomidine and group K received 5 μg/Kg intranasal ketamine 30 min before the operation, and the aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of intranasal dexmedetomidine versus intranasal ketamine for anxiolysis and sedation to alleviate stress, agitation, and anxiety in children before general anesthesia and for promoting good level of sedation for them.

Results

Results of this study as regards sedation level that was assessed by modified Ramsay sedation score showed that there was statistically significant difference between both groups at 10, 20, and 30 min from intranasal application of the drug (P value < 0.05), the median (IQR) of sedation score at 10, 20, and 30 min preoperative in group D was (2 (2 – 2)), (3 (3 – 4)), (4 (4 – 5)) compared to (2 (2 – 3)), (3 (2 – 3)), (4 (3 – 4)) in group K respectively which revealed that there was better and effective sedation in group D more than in group K, this difference was statistically significant but clinically insignificant as both drugs produced an acceptable level of sedation and decreased the level of anxiety in children.

Conclusion

Both drugs produce effective and favorable sedation level with superiority to dexmedetomidine in sedation scores and time of onset of sedation, and also there was little decrease in heart rate and mean arterial pressure which is favorable during such surgeries; also, there was accepted level of cannulation and parental separation scores, and the parents were highly satisfied with the procedure and were grateful for us due to alleviating stress and anxiety from them and from their children.

Comparison of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine Versus Intranasal Ketamine as Premedication for Level of Sedation in Children Undergoing Radiation Therapy: A Prospective, Randomised, Double-Blind Study

OBJECTIVE

Radiation therapy is indicated in many solid tumours in children. Absolute immobility is required to precisely position children for optimal delivery of radiation energy to the target tissues, improve success rate and reduce the damage to nearby normal tissues. Intranasal (IN) administration of drugs is well tolerated, effective and fast acting. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of IN ketamine and dexmedetomidine for providing sedation in children before shifting to the radiotherapy suite. The secondary objective was to assess the requirement of propofol dosage in these patients.

METHODS

A total of 243 children aged between 1 and 5 years scheduled to undergo external beam radiotherapy were randomised to receive 5 mg kg-1 ketamine (group K, n=80), 2.5 μg kg-1 dexmedetomidine (group D, n=85) or 0.5 ml of saline (group S, n=78) in each nostril. After 45 min, sedation score was measured according to the modified Ramsay score (MRS) at the time of shifting for radiation. Time to awakening and time to discharge after the procedure were also noted.

RESULTS

A significantly higher proportion of children in group D (84.7%) achieved an MRS score ≥3 as compared to group K (36.2%) and group S (3.84%). The total propofol dose (mg kg-1) required was significantly less in group D (p<0.01). The patients in group D required more time to awakening, but this difference was not clinically significant.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that IN dexmedetomidine is superior to IN ketamine to provide procedural sedation for radiotherapy in children.

A review on the recent application of ketamine in management of anesthesia, pain, and health care

Ketamine is considered as a promising drug for many clinical applications even after five decades since its discovery. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic agent with a variety of pharmacological effects from anesthetic induction and maintenance to analgesic and sedative depending on the consuming dose. It can be used solely or in combination with other co-adjuvant drugs, increasing their efficacy. Many therapeutic properties of ketamine have been attributed to its antagonism mechanism to N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Identifying new properties of ketamine such as neuroprotective, antiinflammatory, and antitumor effects, on one hand, and taking advantage of subanesthetic regimens of ketamine, on the other hand, have resulted in a widespread use of ketamine in various clinical applications. Ketamine is solvable in aqueous and lipid solutions, providing convenient administration via multiple routes, including oral, nasal, rectal, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, transdermal, sublingual, and intraosseous administration. Application of ketamine has some advantages over other sedative and anesthetic agents. It produces bronchodilation status, allowing for most secure induction of anesthesia in patients with life-threatening asthma and intense acute bronchial constriction. Ketamine has an excellent hemodynamic profile, makes it the agent of choice for patients with unstable hemodynamics, such as shocked or hypotensive patients. Ketamine usage has been associated with a lower risk of respiratory depression and relatively more conserved airway reflexes. Although being an anesthetic agent, ketamine has been increasingly used in subanesthetic doses for acute and chronic pain as well as depression. Using ketamine in pre and postoperative pain management is well established. However, the studies on ketamine performance in pain management demonstrated contradicting results. On the other hand, various side effects along with no confirmatory data on long-term treatment demand great caution when using ketamine for treating complex chronic pains. The present study aimed to provide a general review on the recent applications of ketamine in anesthesia, pain management, and critical care.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine for Procedural Distress in Children: A Systematic Review

CONTEXT

Intranasal dexmedetomidine (IND) is an emerging agent for procedural distress in children.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effectiveness of IND for procedural distress in children.

DATA SOURCES

We performed electronic searches of Medline (1946-2019), Embase (1980-2019), Google Scholar (2019), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (1981-2019), and Cochrane Central Register.

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized trials of IND for procedures in children.

DATA EXTRACTION

Methodologic quality of evidence was evaluated by using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system, respectively. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants with adequate sedation.

RESULTS

Among 19 trials (N = 2137), IND was superior to oral chloral hydrate (3 trials), oral midazolam (1 trial), intranasal midazolam (1 trial), and oral dexmedetomidine (1 trial). IND was equivalent to oral chloral hydrate (2 trials), intranasal midazolam (2 trials), and intranasal ketamine (3 trials). IND was inferior to oral ketamine and a combination of IND plus oral ketamine (1 trial). Higher doses of IND were superior to lower doses (4 trials). Adverse effects were reported in 67 of 727 (9.2%) participants in the IND versus 98 of 591 (16.6%) in the comparator group. There were no reports of adverse events requiring resuscitative measures.

LIMITATIONS

The adequacy of sedation was subjective, which possibly led to biased outcome reporting.

CONCLUSIONS

Given the methodologic limitations of included trials, IND is likely more effective at sedating children compared to oral chloral hydrate and oral midazolam. However, this must be weighed against the potential for adverse cardiovascular effects.

The Effects of Anesthesia on the Pediatric Developing Brain: Strategies to Reduce Anesthesia Use in Pediatric MRI and Nursing's Role in Driving Patient Safety

PURPOSE

To describe the physiological and biological principles of anesthesia for children; nonanesthesia practices; the state of the evidence of patient- and family-centered care strategies to reduce anesthesia use; and role of nursing in ensuring patient safety through reducing anesthesia use for pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

DESIGN

Integrative literature review.

METHODS

Review and synthesis of experimental and nonexperimental literature.

FINDINGS

Anesthesia use in pediatric MRI: 20 studies met inclusion criteria. Physiological and biological side effects of anesthesia in children are substantial. Of significance is the developing research on the extent to which anesthesia affects the developing brain of children. Nonanesthesia in pediatric MRI: 16 studies met inclusion criteria. Common themes were noted between patient- and family-centered care strategies and reducing anesthesia use in children requiring MRI.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant risks associated with anesthesia on the developing brain. Nurses play an important role in using patient-centered strategies to reduce pediatric anesthesia use and advocate for patient safety.

The comparison of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for pediatric dental surgery: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies

INTRODUCTION

Dexmedetomidine and ketamine are used for the sedation of pediatric dental surgery. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the sedation of dexmedetomidine and ketamine for pediatric dental surgery.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the influence of dexmedetomidine versus ketamine on pediatric dental surgery are included. Two investigators independently have searched articles, extracted data, and assessed the quality of included studies. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.

RESULTS

Four RCTs involving 163 children are included in the meta-analysis. Compared with ketamine for pediatric dental surgery, dexmedetomidine results in comparable sedation level (very low quality, 2 RCTs, n = 40; Std. MD = -0.26; 95% CI = -0.74 to 0.23; P = .31), intraoperative analgesia scores (very low quality, 2 RCTs, n = 98; Std. MD = 0.17; 95% CI = -0.23 to 0.57; P = .40), postoperative analgesia scores (very low quality, 2 RCTs, n = 98; Std. MD = 0.23; 95% CI = -0.17 to 0.62; P = .27), DBP (very low quality, 3 RCTs, n = 123; Std. MD = -0.38; 95% CI = -1.04 to 0.27; P = .25) and SpO2 (very low quality, 3 RCTs, n = 123; Std. MD = 0.24; 95% CI = -0.20 to 0.69; P = .28), but significantly decreases heart rate (very low quality, 3 RCTs, n = 123; Std. MD = -1.51; 95% CI = -2.75 to -0.27; P = .02) and SBP (very low quality, 3 RCTs, n = 123; Std. MD = -0.62; 95% CI = -1.16 to -0.08; P = .02), longer recovery time (very low quality, 3 RCTs, n = 138; Std. MD = 1.74; 95% CI = 0.23 to 3.25; P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine and ketamine have similar sedation, analgesia scores, and hemodynamic balance, but very low quality of the evidence (GRADE) is revealed in this meta-analysis.

Premedication with intranasal dexmedetomidine decreases barbiturate requirement in pediatric patients sedated for magnetic resonance imaging: a retrospective study

Background

Barbiturates are commonly used in ambulatory sedation of pediatric patients. However, use of barbiturates involve risks of respiratory complications. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective α₂-adrenoceptor agonist, is increasingly used for pediatric sedation. Premedication with intranasal (IN) dexmedetomidine offers a non-invasive and efficient possibility to sedate pediatric patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our hypothesis was that dexmedetomidine would reduce barbiturate requirements in procedural sedation.

Methods

We included 200 consecutive pediatric patients undergoing MRI, and analyzed their hospital records retrospectively. Half of the patients received 3 μg/kg of IN dexmedetomidine (DEX group) 45–60 min before MRI while the rest received only thiopental (THIO group) for procedural sedation. Sedation was maintained with further intravenous thiopental dosing as needed. Thiopental consumption, heart rate (HR) and peripheral oxygen saturation were recorded.

Results

The cumulative thiopental requirement during MRI was (median and interquartile range [IQR]) 4.4 (2.7–6.0) mg/kg/h in the DEX group and 12.4 (9.8–14.8) mg/kg/h in the THIO group (difference 7.9 mg/kg/h, 95% CI 6.8–8.8, P <  0.001). Lowest measured peripheral oxygen saturation remained slightly higher in the DEX group compared to the THIO group (median nadirs and IQR: 97 (95–97) % and 96 (94–97) %, P <  0.001). Supplemental oxygen was delivered to 33% of the patients in the THIO group compared to 2% in the DEX group (P <  0.001). The lowest measured HR (mean and SD) was lower (78 (16) bpm) in the DEX group compared to the THIO group (92 (12) bpm) (P <  0.001).

Conclusion

Premedication with IN dexmedetomidine (3 μg/kg) was associated with markedly reduced thiopental dosage needed for efficient procedural sedation for pediatric MRI.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12871-019-0690-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Intranasal ketamine for anesthetic premedication in children: a systematic review

AIM

In children, intravenous anesthetic premedication can be distressing. Intranasal (IN) ketamine offers a less invasive approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We included randomized trials of IN ketamine in anesthetic premedication in children 0-19 years. We performed electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, clinical trial registries and conference proceedings.

RESULTS

Among the 23 trials (n = 1680) included, IN ketamine adequately sedated 220/311 (70%) for face mask application, 217/308 (70%) for caregiver separation, 200/371 (54%) for iv. insertion and 19/30 (63%) for monitor application. Vomiting was the most common adverse effect (35/1579 [2.2%]).

CONCLUSION

There is a need for sufficiently powered, methodologically rigorous trials, using psychometrically evaluated, objective outcome measures to meaningfully inform practice.

Review of Intranasally Administered Medications for Use in the Emergency Department

BACKGROUND

Intranasal (IN) medication delivery is a viable alternative to other routes of administration, including intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) administration. The IN route bypasses the risk of needle-stick injuries and alleviates the emotional trauma that may arise from the insertion of an IV catheter.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to evaluate published literature on medications administered via the IN route that are applicable to practice in emergency medicine.

DISCUSSION

The nasal mucosa is highly vascularized, and the olfactory tissues provide a direct conduit to the central nervous system, bypass first-pass metabolism, and lead to an onset of action similar to IV drug administration. This route of administration has also been shown to decrease delays in drug administration, which can have a profound impact in a variety of emergent scenarios, such as seizures, acutely agitated or combative patients, and trauma management. IN administration of midazolam, lorazepam, flumazenil, dexmedetomidine, ketamine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, butorphanol, naloxone, insulin, and haloperidol has been shown to be a safe, effective alternative to IM or IV administration. As the use of IN medications becomes a more common route of administration in the emergency department setting, and in prehospital and outpatient settings, it is increasingly important for providers to become more familiar with the nuances of this novel route of medication delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

IN administration of the reviewed medications has been shown to be a safe and effective alternative to IM or IV administration. Use of IN is becoming more commonplace in the emergency department setting and in prehospital settings.

Comparative Effectiveness of Intranasal Dexmedetomidine-Midazolam versus Oral Chloral Hydrate Targeting Moderate Sedation during Pediatric Transthoracic Echocardiograms

Objective  To compare efficacy and safety of two moderate sedation regimens for transthoracic echocardiography (TTE): intranasal dexmedetomidine-midazolam (DM) versus oral chloral hydrate (CH) syrup. Method  This was a retrospective cohort of 93 children under 4 years of age receiving moderate sedation with either DM or CH for TTE from January 2011 through December 2014. Measurements and Main Results  Forty-nine patients received oral CH and 44 received the intranasal combination of DM. The demographics between groups were similar except the DM patients were slightly older and heavier (each p  < 0.05). Failure rate between groups did not reach statistical significance (CH 14.3% vs. DM 6.8%; p  = 0.324). Total sedation to discharge time was similar between groups (CH 89.4 minutes vs. DM 89.6 minute; p  = 0.97). Cardiopulmonary data did reveal a significantly lower heart rate (101.9 vs. 91.7; p  < 0.001) and respiratory rate (23.4 vs. 21.0, p  = 0.03) in the DM group, but no difference in blood pressure measurements or echo determined shortening fraction. Conclusion  These data support the use of intranasal DM as a safe and efficacious method of moderate sedation for children undergoing TTE.

Comparative evaluation of dexmedetomidine and midazolam-ketamine combination as sedative agents in pediatric dentistry: A double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Background:

Pharmacological methods have been used as an adjunct to enhance child cooperativeness and facilitate dental treatment.

Objective:

Purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effect of sedation by intranasal dexmedetomidine and oral combination drug midazolam–ketamine in a group of children with uncooperative behavior requiring dental treatment.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind study that included patients 3–9 years old with American Society of Anesthesiologists-I status. About 36 children presenting early childhood caries were randomly assigned to one of three groups studied: Group MK received intranasal saline and oral midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) with ketamine (5 mg/kg) mixed in mango juice; Group DX received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) and oral mango juice; and Group C received intranasal saline and oral mango juice. Patients' heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were recorded before, during, and at the end of the procedure. Patients' behavior, sedation status, and wake up behavior were evaluated with modified observer assessment of alertness and sedation scale. Ease of treatment completion was evaluated according to Houpt scale.

Results:

Hemodynamic changes were statistically insignificant in Group MK and Group DX. About 75% patients in Group MK were successfully sedated as compared to 53.9% Group DX and none of the patients in Group C. Ease of treatment completion was better with Group MK as compared to Group DX and least with Group C. Around 50% patients in Group MK had postoperative complications.

Conclusion:

Oral midazolam–ketamine combination and intranasal dexmedetomidine evaluated in the present study can be used safely and effectively in uncooperative pediatric dental patients for producing conscious sedation.

Comparison of intranasal dexmedetomidine and dexmedetomidine-ketamine for premedication in pediatrics patients: A randomized double-blind study

BACKGROUND

Goal of premedication in pediatric anesthesia are relieving pre and postoperative anxiety, good parental separation, and smooth induction of anesthesia. Anxiety can produce aggressive reactions, increased distress, increased postoperative pain and postoperative agitation. The benzodiazepine, midazolam, is the most frequently used premedication in pediatric anesthesia. Midazolam has a number of beneficial effects when used as premedication in children: Sedation, fast onset, and limited duration of action. Though midazolam has a number of beneficial effects, it is far from an ideal premedicant having untoward side effects such as paradoxical reaction, respiratory depression, cognitive impairment, amnesia, and restlessness. Dexmedetomidine is a newer α-2-agonist, which can be used as premedicant.

AIMS

To compare the level of sedation, parental separation, mask acceptance, postoperative recovery of intranasal premedication with dexmedetomidine and dexmedetomidine-ketamine combination in pediatric patients.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Prospective randomized double-blind study.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

After written informed consent from the patient's parents or legal guardian, 54 children of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I or II, aged between 1 and 6 years, scheduled to undergo elective minor surgery were enrolled. In group D patient received 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine intranasally and in group DK received 1 μg/kg dexmedetomidine and 2 mg/kg ketamine intranasally. Patients were assessed every 10 min for the level of sedation, parenteral separation, heart rate, and oxygen saturation by an independent observer. Mask acceptance and postoperative agitation were noted using an appropriate scale.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Pearson Chi-square analysis to determine differences between two groups with respect to separation anxiety and acceptance of the anesthesia mask. Percentages used to represent frequencies. The level of significance was set at P< 0.05.

RESULTS

Acceptable parenteral separation was achieved in 90% of patients 30 min after premedication. Sedation was acceptable in 80% of patients at induction. Good mask acceptance was seen in 60% of patients. The incidence of emergence agitation (EA) was 2%. None of the above parameters was statistically significant between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Dexmedetomidine, as premedicant in children provides acceptable parenteral separation. However, mask acceptance in operation room is poor. Combination of dexmedetomidine and ketamine does not increase the success of premedication. Use of dexmedetomidine is associated with decreased EA.

Intranasal Dexmedetomidine as a Sedative Premedication for Patients Undergoing Suspension Laryngoscopy: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

Background

Intranasal dexmedetomidine, a well-tolerated and convenient treatment option, has been shown to induce a favorable perioperative anxiolysis in children. We investigate intranasal dexmedetomidine as a sedative premedication for anesthesia recovery in an adult population.

Methods

A prospective randomized controlled trial; 81 adult patients scheduled for elective suspension laryngoscopy received intranasal dexmedetomidine (1 μg∙kg^–1) or a placebo 45–60 min before anesthetic induction. Extubation time was used as the primary outcome measure. Secondary variables included the levels of sedation (Observer’s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scale, OAA/S) and anxiety (4-point anxiety score), anesthetic and analgesic requirements, hemodynamic fluctuations, and anesthesia recovery as well as side effects.

Results

The levels of sedation and anxiety differed significantly between the two groups at anesthesia pre-induction (p < 0.001 and = 0.001, respectively). Repeated-measure general linear model determined no significant interaction effect between group and time on the targeted concentration of propofol (F = 1.635, p = 0.200), but a significant main effect of group existed (F = 6.880, p = 0.010). A moderate but significant decrease in the heart rate was recorded in the dexmedetomidine group at pre-induction. Episodes of tachycardia and hypertension after tracheal intubation and extubation were more frequent in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Intranasal dexmedetomidine as a sedative premedication induced a favorable perioperative anxiolysis without prolongation in anesthesia recovery; the hemodynamic effect was modest.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT 02108171

Comparison of Two Different Intranasal Doses of Dexmedetomidine in Children for Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sedation

OBJECTIVE

Anaesthetic agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in paediatric patients should cause few adverse effects and allow fast anaesthetic induction and recovery. The administration route is also important and should be minimally invasive. In this study, we aimed to compare two different doses of intranasal dexmedetomidine applied to children for MRI sedation.

METHODS

Sixty patients between 1 and 10 years of age with American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or II who were scheduled for MRI were recruited into this prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Intranasal dexmedetomidine was administered at doses of 3 µg kg(-1) (Group 1) and 4 µg kg(-1) (Group 2) before imaging. Heart rate (HR), peripheral oxygen saturation, respiratory rate and Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) scores were recorded before the anaesthetic induction of sedation and every 10 min until discharge. If intranasal sedation failed, an intravenous cannula was placed and propofol was applied as a rescue anaesthetic. Bispectral Index (BIS) scores were also recorded before and after MRI. We recorded onset time of sedation, mood at separation from parents (defined as parental separation score), imaging quality, MRI duration, rescue anaesthetic requirement, total duration of sedation, recovery duration, parents' satisfaction and adverse effects.

RESULTS

The results related to age, weight and adverse effects were not statistically different between the groups. The parental separation score was significantly higher in Group 2 (P = 0.003). Rescue anaesthetic requirement was significantly higher in Group 1 (P = 0.002). The results related to recovery duration, MRI duration, parents' satisfaction, onset time of sedation and total duration of sedation were not statistically different. HR was significantly lower in all time intervals compared with basal values in both groups. In Group 2, RSS scores were significantly higher in the 30th, 40th and 50th min. The BIS scores in Group 2 were lower at the 50th min. Neither bradycardia nor oxygen desaturation were observed. Imaging studies were completed successfully in all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on lower rescue anaesthetic requirements, sufficient sedation and parental separation scores in Group 2, intranasal dexmedetomidine 4 µg kg(-1) was more efficient than intranasal dexmedetomidine 3 µg kg(-1). The intranasal route may be an alternative noninvasive route to apply drugs for MRI sedation in paediatric patients. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02299232.

Ketamine: Current applications in anesthesia, pain, and critical care

Ketamine was introduced commercially in 1970 with the manufacturer's description as a "rapidly acting, nonbarbiturate general anesthetic" and a suggestion that it would be useful for short procedures. With the help of its old unique pharmacological properties and newly found beneficial clinical properties, ketamine has survived the strong winds of time, and it currently has a wide variety of clinical applications. It's newly found neuroprotective, antiinflammatory and antitumor effects, and the finding of the usefulness of low dose ketamine regimens have helped to widen the clinical application profile of ketamine. The present article attempts to review the current useful applications of ketamine in anesthesia, pain and critical care. It is based on scientific evidence gathered from textbooks, journals, and electronic databases.

A prospective, randomized, double blinded comparison of intranasal dexmedetomodine vs intranasal ketamine in combination with intravenous midazolam for procedural sedation in school aged children undergoing MRI

Background:

For optimum magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) image quality and to ensure precise diagnosis, patients have to remain motionless. We studied the effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine and ketamine with intravenous midazolam for pre-procedural and procedural sedation in school aged children.

Patients and Methods:

Children were randomly allocated to one of two groups: (Group D) received intranasal dexmedetomidine 3 μg kg^–1 and (Group K) received intranasal ketamine 7 mg kg^–1. Sedation levels 10, 20 and 30 min after drug instillation were evaluated using a Modified Ramsay sedation scale. A 4-point score was used to evaluate patients when they were separated from their parents and their response to intravenous cannulation.

Results:

The two groups were comparable in terms of the child's anxiety at presentation (P = 0.245). We observed that Group K achieved faster sedation at 10 min point with P < 0.05. A comparable sedation score at 20 and 30 min were noted. The two groups were comparable regarding to the child's acceptance of nasal administration (P = 0.65). The sedation failure rate was insignificantly differ between groups (13.7% vs. 20.6% for Group D and K respectively). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure showed a significant difference between the two groups starting from the point of 20 min.

Conclusion:

Intranasal dexmedetomidine 3 μg kg^–1 or ketamine 7 mg kg^–1 can be used safely and effectively to induce a state of moderate conscious sedation and to facilitate parents’ separation and IV cannulation. Addition of midazolam in a dose not sufficient alone to produce the target sedation achieved our goal of deep level of sedation suitable for MRI procedure.

Premedication with dexmedetomidine in pediatric patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Premedication is important in pediatric anesthesia. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the role of dexmedetomidine as a premedicant for pediatric patients. A systematic literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing dexmedetomidine premedication with midazolam or ketamine premedication or placebo in children. Two reviewers independently performed the study selection, quality assessment and data extraction. The original data were pooled for the meta-analysis with Review Manager 5. The main parameters investigated included satisfactory separation from parents, satisfactory mask induction, postoperative rescue analgesia, emergence agitation and postoperative nausea and vomiting. Thirteen randomized controlled trials involving 1190 patients were included. When compared with midazolam, premedication with dexmedetomidine resulted in an increase in satisfactory separation from parents (RD = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06 to 0.30, p = 0.003) and a decrease in the use of postoperative rescue analgesia (RD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.09, p = 0.0003). Children treated with dexmedetomidine had a lower heart rate before induction. The incidence of satisfactory mask induction, emergence agitation and PONV did not differ between the groups. Dexmedetomidine was superior in providing satisfactory intravenous cannulation compared to placebo. This meta-analysis suggests that dexmedetomidine is superior to midazolam premedication because it resulted in enhanced preoperative sedation and decreased postoperative pain. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the dosing schemes and long-term outcomes of dexmedetomidine premedication in pediatric anesthesia.