Ketamine Co-induction for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder

Ketamine Co-induction for Patients With Major Depressive Disorder; a Randomized Clinical Trial

Ketamine hydrochloride, an anesthetic medication, has been demonstrated to acutely and rapidly improve depressive symptoms but not yet been adequately studied for this effect when used as part of a general anesthetic for surgery. This proposed single-centre, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial of adult patients with depression presenting for gynecologic surgery would compare severity of depressive symptoms between patients receiving and not receiving ketamine as part of their general anesthetic.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of major depressive disorder
• Presentation for gynecologic surgery requiring a general anesthetic

Exclusion Criteria:

• Marked co-morbid cardiovascular disease
• Marked co-morbid respiratory disease
• History of intracranial hypertension
• History of seizures
• ASA Physical Status Classification IV or greater
• History of psychosis
• Current pregnancy
• Contraindication to ketamine administration