Perspectives of Ketamine Use in COVID-19 Patients

Hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected patients suffer from both physical impairments and mental stress. Respiratory insufficiency and cardiovascular disturbances require most of the intensive care interventions, but they are also accompanied by depressive conditions, sadness and fear of dying. Sedatives are mostly respiratory and cardiovascular depressants and do not provide resistance to the pro-inflammatory burst induced by the virus. Ketamine is a unique and safe drug that enables well-controlled sedation and anesthesia, attenuates depression and mitigates suicidal thoughts, without depressing respiratory or cardiovascular mechanics. This brief communication highlights the benefits potentially provided by ketamine to patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection.