Summary

Ketamine is an NMDA antagonist in the brain that is used in the induction and maintenance of anesthesia. As a sympathomimetic, it causes a fight-or-flight like response, which can present as an elevated heart rate or blood pressure. Lastly, don’t forget that Ketamine can cause increased intracranial pressure.

Key Points

• Ketamine
  • Mechanism
    • NMDA receptor antagonist
      • Sympathomimetic
  • Clinical use
    • IV anesthetic
      • Used for induction of anesthesia
  • Side effects
    • Increased ICP