Etomidate Versus Ketamine for Emergency Endotracheal Intubation: a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Patients randomized to this group will receive etomidate immediately prior to emergency endotracheal intubation.

Patients randomized to this group will receive ketamine immediately prior to emergency endotracheal intubation.

Patients enrolled in the study will be endotracheally intubated. (A breathing tube will be placed into the patient's mouth and trachea). This procedure is being done as part of standard emergency care. Standard endotracheal tubes will be used. Our hospital uses primarily Mallinckrodt (TM) brand endotracheal tubes.

Patients enrolled in the study will be mechanically ventilated, using a standard ventilator used in our hospital. The mechanical ventilator is attached to the patient's endotracheal tube and helps sustain the patient's life. Our hospital uses several brands of mechanical ventilators.