EMS ketamine use on agitated patients on cocaine increases intubation 5.75-fold, study finds

Patients with excited delirium often are administered ketamine by EMS before arriving at the hospital. Many of them are intoxicated or are using illicit substances, which may alter the properties of ketamine. A study explored if patients who received prehospital ketamine with concomitant substance intoxication have higher rates of subsequent intubation in the ER compared to those without confirmed substance usage. Among the results, cocaine intoxication had a statistically significant 5.75-fold increased rate of intubation.

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