FREQUENCY OF RESPIRATORY COMPROMISE AFTER KETAMINE SEDATION FOR CARDIAC-CATHETERIZATION IN PATIENTS LESS-THAN 21 YEARS OF AGE

Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative which is used for its anesthetic, analgesic and amnestic qualities. Ketamine's reported side effects include respiratory depression, which may range from mild hypoventilation to prolonged central apnea; cardiovascular changes that include increased systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance; and postanesthetic emergent reactions, which include numbness, nystagmus, diplopia, apathy, vivid dreams and hallucinations.1,2 This report evaluates the frequency of adverse respiratory effects after ketamine sedation in children and young adults during cardiac catheterization. © 1991.