Review article

https://doi.org/10.64266/amu.1.1.4

Ketamine Use in Emergency Medicine

Tamara Murselović ; University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia *
Višnja Nesek Adam ; University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia
Sanja Berić ; University Hospital Sveti Duh, Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Ketamine is a phencyclidine derivative (N-1-phenyl-cyclohexylpiperidine-[PCP]), an anesthetic with dissociative, analgesic and psychedelic properties, widely used in human and veterinary medicine. It has been in use since 1964. Its hallucinogenic effects led to its recreational use starting in the 1970s. Ketamine acts primarily as a non-competitive agonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. With its action, it produces strong anesthesia, seadation and amnesia while maintaining spontaneous breathing. The use of ketamine nowdays is wide, except as an anesthetic it is used to treat chronic pain, and as a fast-acting antidepressant. This review article aims to provide a brief overview of the versatile uses of ketamine with an emphasis on its use in emergencies.

Keywords

Anesthesia; Emergency Medicine; Ketamine; Rapid Sequence Intubation;

Hrčak ID:

333862

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/333862

Publication date:

1.2.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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