Advantages of ketamine as a perioperative analgesic

The pharmacological effects of ketamine are being discovered constantly, and new mechanisms involving epi-genetics could account for some of its clinical responses. Nowadays, it is regarded as a pharmacological tool in translational research and has the potential to revolutionise the therapy of complex patient conditions such as pain and depression.

Medical interest in exploring the drug's properties has grown, as is demonstrated by the increased investigation over the last five years, according to research sites such as Pubmed. These publications draw attention to the multifaceted roles of ketamine as an anaesthetic, analgesic (in multiple contexts, chronic, acute, refractory and breakthrough pain), antihyperalgesic, neuromodulator, bronchodilator and/or antidepressant. It is therefore important to review the pharmacological characteristics and their implications in current treatments.