The goal of this Randomized controlled double-blinded trial is to compare the addition of a ketamine infusion to placebo, when added to standard care in adult blunt trauma patients with multiple rib fractures. The main question it aims to answer are: • addition of low dose ketamine infusion (LDKI) decreases narcotic use • does LDKI impact pulmonary complications, readmission, or hospital length of stay Participants will receive usual standard of care with up to 48 hours of LDKI or placebo. If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare infusion of a saline infusion to LDKI to see if LDKI decreases need for narcotic analgesics use.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Males or females 18 years of age or older
* Diagnosis of 3 or more acute rib fractures related to blunt traumatic chest injury.
* Able to undergo consent procedure and give valid consent, or availability of family member to provide consent for the study
Exclusion Criteria:
* Age \<18 years
* Cognitively impaired
* Pregnant or lactating females.
* Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) of ≤ 14 at time of admission
* Evidence of increased intraocular pressure
* Presence of acute coronary syndrome
* Diagnosed moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
* Evidence of uncontrolled intracranial hypertension
* History of seizures or stroke
* History of severe psychiatric disorders
* Allergy to ketamine
* Currently being treated, prior to admission, with opiate agonist/antagonist therapy
* Presence of poorly controlled hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, and/or tachycardia on admission
* Subjects who, in the opinion of the Investigator, may be inappropriate for study participation.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Milligrams of Morphine Equivalents (MME) Administered
Timeframe: Outcome was evaluated up to a total of 96 hours (from time zero to 48 hours of infusion and up to 48 hrs after infusion stopped.