Sedation with Midazolam and Ketamine for Invasive Procedures in Children with Malignancies and Hematological Disorders: A Prospective Study with Reference to the Sympathomimetic Properties of Ketamine

Different pharmacological agents have been used for sedation in children undergoing invasive procedures. The authors prospectively evaluated the efficacy, the occurrence of adverse side effects, and cardiovascular parameters in midazolam and ketamine sedation for invasive procedures in children with malignancies and hematological disorders. A total of 183 invasive procedures were performed on 63 children (mean age 9.2 - 5.2 years). Intravenous sedation consisted of 0.1 mg midazolam/kg and 1.0 mg ketamine/kg. Incremental dosages of ketamine (0.33 mg/kg) were given if necessary to maintain deep sedation. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded. All 183 invasive procedures were successfully completed with satisfactory sedation levels in 170 procedures (92.9%; 95% CI:88.2-96.2%). In 33 procedures (18%; 95% CI: 12.8-24.4%) sedation was associated with side effects, the most common being oxygen desaturation. One patient experienced a transient episode of laryngo...