Pediatric emergency care
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2010
ReviewLaryngospasm during emergency department ketamine sedation: a case-control study.
The objective of this study was to assess predictors of emergency department (ED) ketamine-associated laryngospasm using case-control techniques. ⋯ This case-control analysis of the largest available sample of ED ketamine-associated laryngospasm did not demonstrate evidence of association with age, dose, or other clinical factors. Such laryngospasm seems to be idiosyncratic, and accordingly, clinicians administering ketamine must be prepared for its rapid identification and management. Given no evidence that they decrease the risk of laryngospasm, coadministered anticholinergics seem unnecessary.
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Pediatric emergency care · Nov 2010
ReviewPharmacological management of the agitated pediatric patient.
Children with behavioral or psychiatric complaints are often evaluated in pediatric emergency room settings, and may present as agitated or violent at any point during the evaluation process. Emergency department-based practitioners should be aware of risk factors associated with agitation and should be able to assess the agitated patient in a timely fashion. Management may require the use of pharmacological agents that can mitigate agitation safely and effectively, thus ensuring good outcomes for patients and emergency department staff.