Follow me down the K-hole: ketamine and its modern applications.
Ketamine is a versatile anesthetic agent that has been in use since the Vietnam War. Its popularity grew in war time due to its unique pharmacological properties, yet its use dwindled because of some of its adverse effects. However, in specialty areas, ketamine remains the drug of choice and its benefit far outweighs its risk. In our review, we outline the history of ketamine, its pharmacological properties, and its modern applications in various arenas.
Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York (Mr Chen); New York University College of Nursing (Mr Chen); and Emergency Department, Clara Maass Medical Center, Saint Barnabas Health Care System, Bellville, New Jersey (Mr Malek).
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D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods
D000700:Analgesics; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D007649:Ketamine