Effects of Intraoperative Esketamine–Dexmedetomidine Combination on Postpartum Depressive Symptoms and Neuropsychiatric Events Following Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Meng-Meng Li, Qingfeng Wei, Qian-Yun Zhu, Xin Qing, Xuesheng Liu, Pan-Pan Fang
Drug Design, Development and Therapy March 1, 2026 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s587487 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Women undergoing cesarean section |
| Interventions | low-dose dexmedetomidine esketamine |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Keywords | Dexmedetomidine Adverse effect Randomized controlled trial Postpartum depression Incidence geometry Nausea Depression economics Anesthesia Pregnancy Obstetrics Anesthesiology Postpartum period Sedation Cesarean delivery |
| Key findings | Combined low-dose dexmedetomidine and esketamine during cesarean section provides short-term improvement in early postpartum depressive symptoms. |
Abstract
Combined low-dose dexmedetomidine and esketamine during cesarean section provides a short-term improvement in early postpartum depressive symptoms, reduces intraoperative neuropsychiatric adverse events, and enhances maternal satisfaction, with a favorable maternal and neonatal safety profile.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on esketamine for depression, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: An International Expert Opinion on the Available Evidence and Implementation American Journal of Psychiatry March 17, 2021
- Mechanisms of Ketamine and its Metabolites as Antidepressants Biochemical Pharmacology December 1, 2021
- Ketamine and other glutamate receptor modulators for depression in adults with unipolar major depressive disorder. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews September 12, 2021
- Efficacy of a single low dose of esketamine after childbirth for mothers with symptoms of prenatal depression: randomised clinical trial. BMJ April 10, 2024
- Perioperative Adjunctive Esketamine for Postpartum Depression Among Women Undergoing Elective Cesarean Delivery JAMA Network Open March 6, 2024
and 4 more in the library