Rolfzen ML, Palanca BJA, Bartels K. Rethinking ketamine as a panacea: adverse effects on oxygenation and postoperative outcomes.
Br J Anaesth 2024;
132:635-638. [PMID:
38272733 DOI:
10.1016/j.bja.2023.12.030]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Ketamine is receiving renewed interest in perioperative medicine as an anaesthetic adjunct and a treatment for chronic conditions, including depression. Ketamine's complex pharmacologic profile results not only in several desirable effects, such as anaesthesia and analgesia, but also multiple adverse effects affecting the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. In addition to defining patient-centred outcomes in future clinical studies on the perioperative uses of ketamine, careful monitoring for its numerous adverse effects will be paramount.
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