Adrenal inhibition following a single dose of etomidate in intubated traumatic brain injury victims.

Background: Etomidate is frequently used to intubate traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims, even though it has been linked to adrenal insufficiency (AI) in some populations. Few studies have explored the risk of prolonged etomidate-induced AI among TBI victims.

Objective: To determine the risk and the length of AI induced by etomidate in patients intubated for moderate and severe TBI.