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The epidural and intrathecal administration of ketamine

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Abstract

An overview of the spinal administration of ketamine is presented. Ketamine acts as a noncompetitive antagonist of the NMDA receptor Ca++ channel pore. This effect provides interesting possibilities in pain therapy. However, there are still contrasting results that seem to be due to a lack of comparative controlled studies. The presence of systemic and neurotoxic effects presently limits clinical use.

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  1. Servizio di Anestesia E Rianimazione, Ospedale S. Spirito, Via V. Emanuele, 3, 12042, Bra, Italy

    Diego P. C. Beltrutti MD & Salvatore Di Santo MD

  2. Ospedale Maria Vittoria, Serrizio di Anestesia e Rianimazione, Corso Tassoni, 46, 10100, Torino, Italy

    Anna C. Trompeo MD

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Beltrutti, D.P.C., Trompeo, A.C. & Di Santo, S. The epidural and intrathecal administration of ketamine. Current Review of Pain 3, 458–472 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-999-0074-1

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