Paradoxical Agitation Following Etomidate Sedation for Electrical Cardioversion: A Case Report.

Authors

Madeline Palmer, Emma L Chee-How, Callie O'Bryant, Emily Grass

Published in

Journal of pharmacy practice. Pages 8971900261477883. Aug 16, 2026. Epub Aug 16, 2026.

Abstract

Etomidate is commonly used for procedural sedation in the emergency department due to its rapid onset, short duration of action, and favorable hemodynamic profile. Adverse effects are generally limited to pain at the injection site, myoclonus, nausea, and transient adrenal suppression. Paradoxical agitation following etomidate administration is rarely described. We report a case of severe, transient agitation following low-dose etomidate used for procedural sedation to facilitate electrical cardioversion in a healthy young adult presenting with new-onset atrial fibrillation.

PMID:
42604833
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 17 Aug 2026.

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