Effect of ketamine versus sevoflurane on the right ventricular pressure during balloon dilatation of congenital pulmonary valve stenosis

Background & Objective: Congenital pulmonary stenosis (PS) is a prevalent cardiac anomaly that is commonly treated with balloon dilatation. The procedure can be successfully completed under appropriate anesthetic technique, depending upon the choice of the anesthetist and the patients' physical status. We compared the effect of IV ketamine with sevoflurane inhalational anesthesia on right ventricular pressure in infants undergoing balloon dilatation for congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. Methodology: This double-blinded, randomized, clinical trial included 40 infants, aged from 1 to 12 months, with congenital PS undergoing balloon dilatation. They were randomly allocated to one of the two groups. In the ketamine group, 20 patients received 2 mg/kg of ketamine intravenously till being unconscious. In the sevoflurane group, 20 patients received 3% sevoflurane and were maintained using the open circuit technique till losing consciousness. The right ventricular pressure was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes were the hemodynamics and oxygen saturation. Results: Compared to sevoflurane, ketamine showed a non-significant difference in the right ventricular pressure before and after induction of anesthesia and after balloon dilatation. The mean arterial blood pressure significantly dropped immediately after sevoflurane induction and after the initial 10 min (P = 0.031 and 0.041, respectively). The heart rate significantly decreased immediately after sevoflurane induction (P = 0.028). The oxygen saturation remained comparable in both groups at 10 and 20 min after induction, and at postoperative anesthesia care unit. Conclusion: Intravenous ketamine is considered a safe and effective alternative to sevoflurane for infants with congenital pulmonary stenosis undergoing balloon dilatation. It maintains the right ventricular pressure with stable hemodynamic effects, compared to sevoflurane inhalational anesthesia.