Different Doses of Dexmedetomidine Combined With Esketamine in Women Undergoing Cesarean Delivery

Esketamine is a commonly used anesthetic and analgesic drug during the perioperative period. Recent studies found that low-dose esketamine has rapid onset antidepressant effects and reduces postpartum depression when administered during cesarean delivery. However, even low-dose esketamine produces transient neuropsychiatric symptoms. Dexmedetomidine is a high selective alpha2-adrenoceptor agonist and has both sedative and analgesic effects. When used in combination with esketamine, dexmedetomidine reduces esketamine related neuropsychiatric adverse reactions in patients undergoing general anesthesia. The investigator speculate that combining low-dose dexmedetomidine with esketamine may also reduce neuropsychiatric adverse effects of esketamine in women undergoing cesarean delivery. The purpose of this pilot trial is to determine the minimum dose of dexmedetomidine that can effectively prevent neuropsychiatric side effects of antidepressve dose esketamine (0.2mg/kg) in women undergoing cesarean delivery.