Etomidate, sepsis, and adrenal function: not as bad as we thought?

doi:10.1186/cc5939

Critical Care

Volume 11
Issue 3

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Commentary

Etomidate, sepsis, and adrenal function: not as bad as we thought?

Ryan Kamp and John P Kress

University of Chicago Hospitals, S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2007, 11:145doi:10.1186/cc5939


Published:	28 June 2007

See related research by Ray et al., http://ccforum.com/content/11/3/R56

Abstract

The choice of induction agent for endotracheal intubation can have significant downstream effects, especially in critically ill patients. In a retrospective study, Ray and McKeown found that the choice of induction agent had no significant effect on use of vasoactive medications, corticosteroids, or mortality. Given the heated debate regarding corticosteroids in septic shock and the role that etomidate may play in leading to adrenal insufficiency, enthusiasm for etomidate as an induction agent should be tempered by its possible, significant side effects in these critically ill patients.