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Introduction to Ketamine: A Dissociative Anesthetic

May 14, 2019 DOI: 10.64239/pi-vl1401 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Historical analysis
Topics Esketamine Ketamine
Key points Ketamine was developed as a less potent form of PCP and termed a "dissociative anesthetic" due to its effects on perception. It was FDA-approved in 1970 and became popular as a field anesthetic because of its hemodynamic safety.

Abstract

Ketamine was developed as an anesthetic and less potent form of phencyclidine (PCP) by Drs. Edward Domino and Calvin Stevens. The drug was termed a "dissociative anesthetic" in part because subjects became disconnected from their environment and in part because sensory inputs can reach cortical areas but are not always perceived in association areas. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as an anesthetic in 1970 and quickly gained popularity as a field anesthetic due to its hemodynamic safety.