Single dose of esketamine may lift mood after heart surgery

NCT ID NCT06608030

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Chinese PLA General Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether a single low dose of esketamine, given during anesthesia, could reduce anxiety and depression in 142 adults undergoing heart valve surgery. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either esketamine or a placebo (saline). The researchers measured mood using standard questionnaires before and after surgery. The goal was to see if this simple addition could improve emotional recovery after a major operation.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: esketamine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple way to ease anxiety and depression after heart surgery.
What could go wrong: This is a small, completed trial with no phase designation, so results may not be conclusive or widely applicable. Esketamine can cause side effects like dizziness or dissociation.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder Depression

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

CARDIAC SURGERY DEPRESSION, ANXIETY S-KETAMINE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Beijing Tiantan Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China
First Medical center of Chinese PLA General Hospital

Beijing, Beijing Municipality, China, China

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