Continuous infusion ketamine as analgesia or sedation in mechanically ventilated adults in the intensive care unit: a scoping review

Abstract IntroductionMechanical ventilation (MV) is a common and often live-saving intervention on the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In order to facilitate this intervention, the majority of patients require medical sedation. Optimising sedation is one of the fundamentals of ICU care, and inadequate sedation (predominantly too deep) has consistently been associated with worse outcomes for patients.This article presents the protocol for a scoping review of published literature on the use of ketamine as a sedative to facilitate MV on ICU.The scoping review has been designed to answer the question ‘What is known about the use of ketamine as a continuous infusion to provide sedation in mechanically ventilated adults in the intensive care unit, and what gaps in the evidence exist?’ MethodsThe scoping review protocol has been designed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist and the JBI manual for evidence synthesis. Data will be extracted using a dedicated form, and reviewed by 2 reviewers.Results Results will be tabulated and presented along side descriptive summaries. A PRISMA flow diagram will also be generated.Ethics and DisseminationThis scoping review is designed to map out the literature using existing published articles and does not require ethical approval.Results will be submitted for publication in relevant peer-reviewed journals and to international meetings as well as disseminated to relevant professional groups.