Ketamine in Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · Sep 25, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of ketamine, a medication that can help with sedation and pain relief, in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Researchers want to see how a single dose of ketamine affects brain function in critically ill patients who are being monitored for brain pressure and oxygen levels. The goal is to better understand if ketamine can be safely used in this setting, especially since it has traditionally been avoided due to concerns about increasing brain pressure.

To participate in this study, individuals must be at least 18 years old and have a severe TBI that requires monitoring of brain pressure and oxygen. However, people with certain conditions, such as allergies to ketamine or specific heart issues, cannot join. If eligible, participants will receive a dose of ketamine and will be closely monitored to assess its effects on their brain function. This research is important because it could lead to new treatment strategies for managing severe TBI and improving patient outcomes.

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Severe traumatic brain injury
• • Placement of intracranial monitor for measurement of intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygenation
• • Age greater than or equal to 18 years
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Documented allergy to ketamine
• • Sinus tachycardia with sustained heart rate \>120
• • Any episode of non-sinus tachycardia
• • Documented history of schizophrenia
• • Systolic blood pressure \> 180, diastolic blood pressure \> 120
• • Documented episode(s) of ICP elevations \>25 mm Hg sustained greater than 5 minutes within 24 hours
• • Similar episodes as above of PbtO2 \<15 mmHg
• • Positive pregnancy test and/or is currently breast-feeding