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Study identifier: NCT06817239 Synced from ClinicalTrials.gov · July 29, 2026
● Recruiting

Effect of Low-dose EsketaMine on dElirium in High-risk Elderly Patients uNdergoing elecTive Surgery (ELEMENT)

Condition: Delirium in Old Age · Delirium, Postoperative · Anesthesia  ·  Sponsor: Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

PhaseNA
Planned participants1670
Who can joinAll sexes, 65 Years to 90 Years
Healthy volunteersNo

About this study

Delirium is an acutely occurred neurocognitive disorder characterized by fluctuating symptoms of inattention, altered consciousness and cognitive dysfunction. Delirium is reported to occur in 4% to 65% of postoperative patients depending on the population, and is especially common in older patients. Postoperative delirium is disturbing to patients and their families, and it is a strong predictor of both early and long-term worse outcomes including increased non-delirium complications, increased perioperative mortality, shortened overall survival, declined cognitive function, and lowered quality of life. Although ketamine/esketamine has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, evidence on its efficacy in reducing postoperative delirium remains inconsistent and inconclusive. Existing studies are limited by heterogeneity, small sample sizes, single-center designs, and a focus on specific type of surgery. Research on elderly high-risk patients is lacking, and most studies administer the drug intraoperatively, with limited exploration of postoperative use. The optimal dosing and timing for POD prevention are unclear. This study aims to carry out a multicenter, single-blind, placebo-controlled, large-sample randomized controlled trial assessing the effect of low-dose esketamine, given intraoperatively and postoperatively, on delirium in elderly high-risk patients undergoing major non-cardiac surgery.

This description comes directly from the study's public registry record.

Talk to the study team

Ke-Xuan Liu, MD  ·  +86 13710684096  ·  liukexuan705@163.com

Shuang-Jie Cao, MD  ·  +86 13651119431  ·  caosjie1994@126.com

Always discuss trial participation with your own doctor first.

Locations (6)

Fujian Provincial HospitalFuzhou, Fujian, ChinaRecruiting
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaNot Yet Recruiting
Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaRecruiting
The First Affiliated Hospital of JiNan UniversityGuangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaActive Not Recruiting
The Eighth Affliated Hospital of Southern Medical UniversilyGuangzhou, Guangdong, ChinaRecruiting
Ganzhou People's HospitalGanzhou, Jiangxi, ChinaActive Not Recruiting

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Source record: clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06817239