Ketamine use for super-refractory status epilepticus in children

[...]ketamine is also well known for its abuse potential; it is especially popular in Asia, and is known as a post-clubbing drug.1 Use of ketamine for controlling seizures was first reported in the 1990s.2 Ketamine is now an emerging treatment option for status epilepticus (SE), particularly refractory SE (RSE), defined as ongoing seizures that have not responded one benzodiazepine and another antiepileptic drug, or super-refractory SE (SRSE), defined as SE that continues or recurs [greater than or equal to]24 hours after the onset of anaesthesia, including those cases in which SE recurs on the reduction or withdrawal of anaesthesia.3 Midazolam, thiopentone/pentobarbital and/or propofol are commonly used anaesthetics in these conditions.4 A recent review of ketamine use in RSE in 244 patients (adults and children) suggested an overall efficacy up to 73% to 74%. Recent studies have suggested that with prolonged seizures, the number of activated γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors on the postsynaptic m