Ketamine as an Adjunct Therapy in Acute Severe Asthma: An In-Depth Review of Efficacy and Clinical Implications.

Acute severe asthma, formerly named status asthmaticus, is defined as a life-threatening asthma exacerbation that is refractory to the current standards of treatment such as the use of beta-agonists and epinephrine. This complication of asthma affects up to 15% of individuals with asthma and despite critical care treatment and hospitalization, there remains a staggeringly high 10-18% mortality rate in an intensive care unit setting. The addition of ketamine to the arsenal of acute severe asthma treatment due to its rapid onset, variable routes of administration, and overall improved clinical efficacy in treatment-refractory cases has been well investigated and documented. Ketamine's anti-inflammatory properties, bronchodilatory effects, and well-documented history contribute to its ability to provide a significant clinical asthma score (CAS) reduction and improvement on pulmonary readings, such as peak expiratory flow (PEF), while providing a well-researched adverse effect profile. This article serves to analyze and review the benefits and risks of incorporating ketamine into the standard treatment regimen for patients suffering from acute severe asthma and discusses the implications of such implementation.