N/A
N=15
The Effects of Ketamine on Respiratory Stimulation and Transpulmonary Pressures
Mechanical Ventilation · Airway Patency · Respiratory Depression
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01969227 ↗Enrolled (actual)
15
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
May 2026
Primary outcome: Primary: Inspiratory Airflow — 0.36; 0.47; 0.44 L/s
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Subanesthetic ketamine (Drug)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 18+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Massachusetts General Hospital
- Primary completion
- Dec 2022
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY Inspiratory Airflow |
0.36; 0.47; 0.44 | — |
| SECONDARY EEG Beta-gamma Power |
2.9; 4.2 | — |
| SECONDARY Minute Ventilation |
6.95; 8.24; 8.33 | — |
| SECONDARY Tidal Volume |
0.29; 0.39; 0.39 | — |
| SECONDARY Work of Breathing |
0.6; 0.4; 0.4 | — |
| SECONDARY Inspiratory Airway Resistance |
17.7; 15.1; 9.1 | — |
| SECONDARY Lung Compliance |
23; 20; 26 | — |
Summary
Impairment of airway patency is a common cause of extubation failure and opioids and hypnotics can adversely affect airway patency. Ketamine, a noncompetitive antagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), unlike other anesthetics activates respiratory effort and promotes bronchodilation. At subanesthetic plasma concentration, ketamine reduces both opioid and propofol requirements.
The purpose of this pharmaco-physiological interaction trial is to evaluate the effects of ketamine on breathing and electroencephalography in mechanically ventilated patients.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Age ≥ 18 years admitted to ICU requiring mechanical ventilation
- Suitable for spontaneous breathing trial
- Candidate to received low dose ketamine by the primary critical care team
Exclusion Criteria
- Esophageal injury
- Allergic to ketamine
- Known neurodegenerative disorders
- Major neurologic disorders (elevated ICP)
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01969227). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.