Ketamine in Neurocritical Care: New Potentials and Perspectives.
Cureus June 1, 2025 Rudin Domi, Alma Cani, Asead Abdyli et al. 3 citations
Ketamine, an intravenous anesthetic that blocks NMDA receptors, provides hypnosis, pain relief, anticonvulsant effects, anti-inflammatory action, and neuroprotection. Early concerns that it might raise intracranial pressure have been disproven, renewing interest in its use for neurocritical care. Its use in neurosurgical patients, both in operating rooms and intensive care units, is growing because it offers hemodynamic stability and neuroprotective benefits. Ketamine also shows promise for treating stroke and refractory seizures, broadening its clinical applications. This review summarizes ketamine's usefulness in these settings.