Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion for Children With Sickle Cell Disease-Related Pain
Status:
Terminated
Trial end date:
2010-02-12
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Acute pain episodes associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) are very difficult to manage
effectively. Opioid tolerance and side effects have been major roadblocks in our ability to
provide these patients with adequate pain relief. This pilot study is designed to examine the
safety and feasibility of using ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist,
in the inpatient seeing with children and adolescents who have sickle cell vasoocclusive
pain. Previous research suggests that in subanesthetic doses, ketamine may be able to prevent
the development of opiate tolerance and facilitate better pain relief with lower opiate
doses, allowing for less respiratory depression, less sedation, easier ambulation, less
deconditioning, shorter hospital stays, and better quality of life. The goal of this pilot
study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of using a continuous infusion of ketamine,
in conjunction with opiates, in the inpatient setting for sickle cell vasoocclusive pain. It
is hypothesized that using a low dose ketamine infusion in conjunction with opiates will be a
safe and feasible practice for the treatment of sickle cell pain.