The Effect of Etomidate on Patient Outcomes After Single Bolus Doses

Summary

The primary aim is to determine the difference in hospital length of stay between septic patients given etomidate and those given midazolam for induction during rapid sequence intubation (RSI) in the emergency department. To achieve this aim we plan to perform a prospective randomized trial measuring the length of stay of patients meeting sepsis criteria and requiring intubation. The investigators will compare in-hospital mortality rates between patients given etomidate and patients given midazolam for induction. In addition to hospital length of stay, secondary endpoints between the two groups will include length of stay in the intensive care unit, death within 48 hours of admission, and total number of days intubated. Research Hypothesis: In adult patients presenting to the emergency department with sepsis and requiring rapid sequence intubation, the length of stay of patients given etomidate will be greater than that of patients given the alternative agent midazolam for induction.

Timeline

Start

2007-10

Primary completion

2010-12

Completion

2010-12

Publications

• Results Tekwani KL, Watts HF, Sweis RT, Rzechula KH, Kulstad EB. A comparison of the effects of etomidate and midazolam on hospital length of stay in patients with suspected sepsis: a prospective, randomized study. Ann Emerg Med. 2010 Nov;56(5):481-9. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2010.05.034. Epub 2010 Sep 15.

Drugs

Indications