THOSE who anesthetize patients with ketamine (originally given the clinical investigation number CI-581) realize it is a unique pharmacological agent. Ever since its introduction into human clinical anesthesia, ketamine has had a turbulent history. One only has to witness ketamine anesthesia emergence delirium to realize this agent produces unique psychic effects. Nevertheless, the value and safety of ketamine in the anesthetic management of a specific subset of surgical and critical care patients is recognized.

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