Intranasal Ketamine for Anxiolysis in Pediatric Emergency Department Patients

The intranasal route of drug delivery is commonly used in Emergency Departments (ED) in pediatric patients. Multiple trials have shown the safety of administration of intranasal ketamine, including studies performed in the ED to treat pain in pediatric patients. The use of ketamine for anxiolysis has not been directly studied; however, ketamine has been shown to have anxiolytic effect at low doses as secondary outcomes when studied. Midazolam has been established as an effective medication to provide analgesia and anxiolysis. Investigators plan to conduct a randomized, double-blinded, controlled study in the Emergency Department. Pediatric patients presenting to the ED with the need for minor procedures who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria will be consented, and if amenable, will be enrolled. Patients will be randomized to one of two arms of intranasal treatments: ketamine 1.0 mg/kg (K) or midazolam 0.3 mg/kg (M). Patients will be tracked for symptom improvement within the Emergency Department. The primary outcome will be change in anxiety from initial measurement to measurement 5 minutes pre-procedure using the Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS). Secondary outcomes will include sedation level, adverse events, need for additional medications, change in pain rating, patient and/or parent/guardian satisfaction.