Why ketamine

We present the rationale for testing ketamine as an add-on therapy for treating benzodiazepine refrac-tory (established) status epilepticus. In animal studies, ketamine terminates benzodiazepine refractory status epilepticus by interfering with the pathophysiological mechanisms and is a neuroprotectant. Ketamine does not suppress respiration when used for sedation and anesthesia. A Series of reports sug -gest that ketamine can help terminate refractory and super refractory status epilepticus. We propose to use 1 or 3 mg/Kg ketamine intravenously based on animal-to-human conversion and pharmacokinetic studies. This paper was presented at the 8th London-Innsbruck Colloquium on Status Epilepticus and Acute Seizures held in September 2022.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This paper presents the rationale for testing ketamine as an add-on therapy for treating benzodiazepine refractory status epilepticus. Animal studies have shown that ketamine can terminate refractory status epilepticus by interfering with the pathophysiological mechanisms and providing neuroprotection. Ketamine does not suppress respiration when used for sedation and anesthesia. Reports suggest that ketamine can help terminate refractory and super refractory status epilepticus. The recommended dosage is 1 or 3 mg/kg intravenous ketamine based on animal-to-human conversion and pharmacokinetic studies. This paper was presented at the 8th London-Innsbruck Colloquium on Status Epilepticus and Acute Seizures held in September 2022. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.