KETAMINE IN PERIOPERATIVE DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS (PDS) IMPROVEMENT - REVIEW

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are the most frequent psychiatric disorders associated with organic diseases. PDS (Perioperative Depression Symptoms) represent a depressive episode which occurs mostly in the early postoperative phase. It was observed that the patients presenting PSD have a higher risk of postoperative complications, an increased length of hospitalization and a more reserved prognosis. A series of recent studies have shown that the usage of ketamine in small doses significantly reduces major depression symptoms in the short time after its administration. The ketamine blocks the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, leading to the presynaptic release of glutamate and increasing the activity of dopaminergic neurons with antidepressant role.