Is the Use of Ketamine As An Alternative to Etomidate During Rapid Sequence Intubation of Adult Trauma Patient's Safe?
The most commonly used induction agent for rapid sequence intubation in the acutely injured patient is etomidate, largely due to its rapid onset of action and hemodynamically "neutral" effects. The dose-dependent effect of etomidate in suppressing adrenal synthesis of cortisol leading to adrenal insufficiency has left the door open for ketamine to be also considered as the rapid induction agent of choice in these critically injured patients.