Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report

Abstract. Background. Estimated 4%–8% of pregnancies are complicated by asthma. Adequate management in this population is critical to minimize complications. Patients presenting with asthma exacerbation are typically managed with standard bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. However, additi...

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Main Authors: Melanie Johnson, Malak Abbas, Jaber Abdo, Mansour Mansour, Jessica Jones
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW 2024-09-01
Series:Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000098
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author Melanie Johnson
Malak Abbas
Jaber Abdo
Mansour Mansour
Jessica Jones
author_facet Melanie Johnson
Malak Abbas
Jaber Abdo
Mansour Mansour
Jessica Jones
author_sort Melanie Johnson
collection DOAJ
description Abstract. Background. Estimated 4%–8% of pregnancies are complicated by asthma. Adequate management in this population is critical to minimize complications. Patients presenting with asthma exacerbation are typically managed with standard bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. However, additional agents may be used in patients with refractory asthma exacerbation. Ketamine has been used in refractory bronchospasm, although its efficacy in published literature is heterogeneous. Case Presentation. We present a case of a pregnant patient with severe asthma exacerbation refractory to standard and salvage treatment who achieved termination of bronchospasm with ketamine infusion. Conclusion. After receiving ketamine infusion for several days, the patient had improved air flow and achieved successful extubation, without experiencing rebound bronchospasm. Although this individual clinical case alone cannot change guidelines or directives to use in refractory asthma exacerbations, it offers a possible treatment option to patients and providers in unusually severe cases with extenuating risk factors.
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publisher Wolters Kluwer Health/LWW
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spelling doaj-art-f00a67ddf3fa4eaaacccb56ba71c74c42025-08-20T01:54:16ZengWolters Kluwer Health/LWWEmergency and Critical Care Medicine2097-06172693-860X2024-09-014313013310.1097/EC9.0000000000000098202409000-00007Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case reportMelanie Johnson0Malak Abbas1Jaber Abdo2Mansour Mansour3Jessica Jones4a Pharmacy Department, Beaumont Health, Dearborn, MI, USAa Pharmacy Department, Beaumont Health, Dearborn, MI, USAb Emergency Center, Beaumont Health, Dearborn, MI, USA.b Emergency Center, Beaumont Health, Dearborn, MI, USA.a Pharmacy Department, Beaumont Health, Dearborn, MI, USAAbstract. Background. Estimated 4%–8% of pregnancies are complicated by asthma. Adequate management in this population is critical to minimize complications. Patients presenting with asthma exacerbation are typically managed with standard bronchodilators and systemic corticosteroids. However, additional agents may be used in patients with refractory asthma exacerbation. Ketamine has been used in refractory bronchospasm, although its efficacy in published literature is heterogeneous. Case Presentation. We present a case of a pregnant patient with severe asthma exacerbation refractory to standard and salvage treatment who achieved termination of bronchospasm with ketamine infusion. Conclusion. After receiving ketamine infusion for several days, the patient had improved air flow and achieved successful extubation, without experiencing rebound bronchospasm. Although this individual clinical case alone cannot change guidelines or directives to use in refractory asthma exacerbations, it offers a possible treatment option to patients and providers in unusually severe cases with extenuating risk factors.http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000098
spellingShingle Melanie Johnson
Malak Abbas
Jaber Abdo
Mansour Mansour
Jessica Jones
Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
Emergency and Critical Care Medicine
title Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
title_full Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
title_fullStr Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
title_full_unstemmed Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
title_short Use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm: a case report
title_sort use of ketamine for severe asthma exacerbation in a pregnant patient with persistent bronchospasm a case report
url http://journals.lww.com/10.1097/EC9.0000000000000098
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