ketamine / Generic mfg. - LARVOL DELTA

A protocol for a scoping review of variations among psychedelic interventions for psychological suffering associated with the end-of-life. (PubMed, PLoS One) - "Despite this progress, a wide range of both substances (such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine) and therapeutic approaches (such as psychedelics alone, or psychotherapy assisted with a psychedelic) in the use of psychedelic interventions specifically for end-of-life populations, has not been adequately covered by reviews to date...The insights gained from this review will be used to inform future research and discussions on how psychedelics can be integrated into care strategies for populations coping with end-of-life concerns. This scoping review does not require ethics approval."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Depression • Mood Disorders • Psychiatry

PCA ketamine-morphine versus PCA morphine as post-operative analgesia in colorectal surgery. (PubMed, J Opioid Manag) - "PCA ketamine-morphine was as effective as PCA morphine as post-operative analgesia in colorectal surgery, with comparable pain scores, PCA demands, side effects, and significant reduction in morphine consumption."

Clinical • Journal • Pain

Nonopioid Drugs for Postoperative Pain: A Selection Governed by Choices of the Authors of Academic Articles. (PubMed, Curr Rev Clin Exp Pharmacol) - "These included acetaminophen, dexmedetomidine, dexamethasone, ketamine, gabapentin, ibuprofen, ketorolac, diclofenac, magnesium sulfate, clonidine, intravenous lidocaine, and meloxicam (in order of most to least bibliometric interest). Overall, nonopioid drugs demonstrating the largest popularity among authors and continuous interest growth in 2018-2022 include acetaminophen, dexmedetomidine, dexamethasone, and ibuprofen. The relevant meta-analyses show that nonopioids, administered as components of multimodal analgesia, provided the opioid-sparing effect; they also show that the most common change in the opioid-related side effects was a lower incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting."

Journal • Review • Pain

Comparing Ketamine and Etomidate for Short-Term Mortality in Rapid Sequence Intubation. (PubMed, Crit Care Med) - No abstract available

Intubation • Journal

Association of low-dose ketamine with hallucinations in critically ill patients: a target trial emulation. (PubMed, Intensive Care Med) - "In ICU patients, low-dose ketamine was strongly associated with an increased risk of hallucinations. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the observational nature of the study and the risk of residual confounding."

Journal • Anesthesia • CNS Disorders • Critical care

Variations of SPI during outpatient laparoscopic cholecystectomy without muscle relaxants using ANI-guided remifentanil. (PubMed, J Clin Monit Comput) - "Induction was performed using propofol, ketamine and remifentanil. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy without muscle relaxants, remifentanil titrated to achieve a target ANI range of 50-80 provides SPI values with poor correlation ranging from 20 to 50, corresponding to adequate nociception-antinociception balance. Other studies comparing ANI and SPI guided remifentanil administration are required to determine the effect of each strategy on patient outcomes during laparoscopic cholecystectomy or other types of surgery."

Journal • Anesthesia

The Lethal Combination of Pregabalin With Other Recreational Drugs. (PubMed, Cureus) - "He experienced delusions, restlessness, and visual hallucinations, exacerbated by prolonged multidrug abuse, including over-the-counter pregabalin (Lyrica) for pain relief and recreational ketamine. This patient's severe presentation serves as a caution against self-medicating with neuromodulators like pregabalin, especially alongside current or historical misuse of other neuroactive substances. This case affirms the necessity of swiftly discerning both clinical symptoms and psychiatric risk factors in the effective identification and treatment of dangerous pregabalin intoxication."

Journal • Acute Kidney Injury • CNS Disorders • Metabolic Disorders • Nephrology • Pain • Psychiatry • Renal Disease

Inhaled nebulised medications in palliative care - a survey among palliative care practitioners in Germany. (PubMed, BMC Palliat Care) - "Our survey shows that nebulised drugs are prescribed and considered relevant in palliative care. However, for several of the mentioned medications only limited data is available regarding use and effectivity. There is also uncertainty to what extent the existing data may be transferable into routine palliative care setting. Therefore, more evidence should be generated."

Journal • Palliative care

Trends in ketamine use among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2017-2024. (PubMed, Int J Drug Policy) - "Recreational ketamine use is increasing among this population so an increased focus on both prevention and harm reduction is needed."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Epilepsy

Novel mechanisms underlying rapid-acting antidepressants: ketamine-like compounds, neurosteroid GABAkines, and psychedelics. (PubMed, Drug Discov Today) - "As a result, a new group of antidepressants have emerged, some of them already approved for clinical use, classified as rapid-acting antidepressant drugs (RAADs). Potentiation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or activation of the GABAA receptors are the main mechanisms behind the notable properties of RAADs, a mainstream topic in the field of pharmacology and drug discovery that deserves an updated review."

Journal • Review • CNS Disorders • BDNF

Role of ketamine in the treatment of substance use disorders: A systematic review. (PubMed, J Subst Use Addict Treat) - " While preliminary studies suggest that KET may have short-term benefits in treating SUDs, the evidence remains limited by small sample sizes and a lack of randomized trials. Further research with larger, well-controlled studies is needed to determine optimal dosing, clarify mechanisms of action, and assess long-term efficacy and potential risks, including abuse liability, before broader clinical implementation can be recommended."

Journal • Review • Addiction (Opioid and Alcohol) • CNS Disorders • Psychiatry • Substance Abuse

Role of CaMKII/CREB pathway in rapid-antidepressant-like effect: comparison of ketamine with rapastinel. (PubMed, Exp Brain Res) - "Overall, this study provides insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like effects of ketamine and rapastinel. Understanding these mechanisms could aid in developing new treatments for depression that are both rapid-acting and long-lasting, without the side effects associated with current medications."

Journal • CNS Disorders • Depression • Major Depressive Disorder • Mood Disorders • Psychiatry • BDNF

Experimental parameters for normal tissue preservation in Pulsed Electron FLASH-RT: potential clinical implications (ESTRO 2025) - "The impact of tissue oxygenation on the FLASH effect was examined by performing dose escalation irradiations in FLASH- and CONV-RT modes under various anesthesia conditions, including isoflurane carried by air or oxygen and ketamine. This research confirms that the average dose rate is the primary temporal parameter for decreasing side effects following pulsed electron FLASH-RT. A threshold rate of 100 Gy/s was required for maximizing the magnitude of the FLASH effect. Increasing tissue oxygenation diminished the FLASH effect, revealing its dependence on oxygen."

Clinical • Anesthesia

Evaluating the Neuromodulatory Effect of Ketamine in Long COVID-19 (clinicaltrials.gov) - P2 | N=20 | Enrolling by invitation | Sponsor: University of Texas at Austin | Not yet recruiting ➔ Enrolling by invitation

Enrollment open • Fatigue • Infectious Disease • Novel Coronavirus Disease

Propofol Sedation Strategies Following Hypertriglyceridemia in Critically-Ill Adults Requiring Invasive Mechanical Ventilation: A Target Trial Emulation (ATS 2025) - "Sensitivity analyses, where only benzodiazepines or benzodiazepines and ketamine were considered to be eligible alternative sedatives, were done... There were no differences in outcomes among patients who had their propofol regimens modified versus continued following the detection of hypertriglyceridemia. Further prospective investigations are needed to identify the optimal strategy for managing sedative regimens in this patient population."

Clinical • Anesthesia • Dyslipidemia • Hypertriglyceridemia • Pancreatitis

Surfactant Supplementation With Synthetic Mixture of Phospholipids and Synthetic Surfactant Protein B Analog in Murine Influenza (ATS 2025) - " Influenza Infection: Influenza H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) was instilled i.n. into 8-10 week old Balb/c mice under ketamine anesthesia (Day 0)... Supplementation of dysfunctional surfactants with a synthetic mixture of phospholipids and a synthetic SP-B analog restores surface tension lowering activity ex vivo. Future in vivo SRT studies in mice with influenza are warranted."

Preclinical • Surfactant • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome • Anesthesia • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Influenza • Respiratory Diseases

Chronic Ketamine Abuse Associated With Severe Pyelonephritis and Septic Shock Requiring Bilateral Nephrostomy Tubes: A Case Report (ATS 2025) - "Blood and urine cultures grew Enterococcus faecalis, and she was treated with Rocephin and ampicillin. This case highlights the need to recognize upper urinary tract involvement in patients with ketamine-induced cystitis and emphasizes the importance of clinical vigilance, especially when symptoms of pyelonephritis are present. Further research is warranted to better understand the pathophysiological mechanisms linking ketamine use to upper urinary tract infections."

Case report • Clinical • Acute Kidney Injury • Anesthesia • Fibrosis • Hypotension • Interstitial Cystitis • Nephrology • Pain • Septic Shock • Urology

Restoration of Surfactant Depletion and Dysfunction in a Murine Influenza Model of ARDS (ATS 2025) - " Influenza Infection: Intranasal influenza H1N1 (A/PR/8/34) was instilled into 8-10 week old Balb/c mice using ketamine anesthesia... Influenza infection in mice is a reliable murine ARDS model that includes significant surfactant dysfunction which is improved with SRT. The model can support future detailed dosing studies that characterize the complex pharmacodynamics of SRT in ARDS and inform future clinical trials."

Preclinical • Surfactant • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome • Anesthesia • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Influenza • Otorhinolaryngology • Respiratory Diseases

Evaluation of Patient-centered Outcomes With Ketamine Infusion in the ICU: A Quality Improvement Project (ATS 2025) - "We identified 210 orders for ketamine infusion (3.98%), 5273 orders for any infusion, of which 1839 were propofol (34.9%). 67 patients that received ketamine died (35%) compared to 363 patients that received propofol without ketamine (21%) (chi-squared = 9.9, p = 0.002). There were more discharges to a rehab facility with ketamine 46% vs 37% (chi-squared 6.8, p = 0.008)."

Clinical • Acute Kidney Injury • Anesthesia • CNS Disorders • Nephrology • Nicotine Addiction • Pain • Palliative care • Renal Disease • Respiratory Diseases • Septic Shock

Trends in Ketamine Use in Mechanically Ventilated Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic (ATS 2025) - "In a multicenter retrospective study, ketamine use increased between 2016-2022, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic and in patients with COVID-19. This trend was independent of the total number of other sedatoanalgesics used, suggesting that ketamine is increasingly being used as an additional adjunct rather than replacing another medication. Future studies should seek to quantify the safety and effectiveness of ketamine as an adjunct anesthetic."

Clinical • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome • Anesthesia • Infectious Disease • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Pain • Respiratory Diseases

Intravenous Administration of KVX-053, A PTP4A3 Inhibitor, Prevents Ventilator-induced Lung Injury (VILI) in Mice (ATS 2025) - " C57Bl/6j mice were anesthetized with Ketamine/xylazine (90 mg and 9 mg/kg), their trachea was isolated and connected to a Flexivent small animal ventilator (SCIREQ). Our data suggest that KVX-053 may strengthen the alveolar barrier function and mitigate the severity of VILI. Our results could expand the translational potential of PTP4A3 inhibition in Emergency Medicine, by providing safe and beneficial effects in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation."

Preclinical • Acute Lung Injury • Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome • Anesthesia • Infectious Disease • Inflammation • Novel Coronavirus Disease • Respiratory Diseases • PTP4A3

Refractory Status Asthmaticus Successfully Treated With ECMO (ATS 2025) - "She received epinephrine, intravenous magnesium, and ketamine without improvement...Inhaled anesthetics, Sevoflurane in particular, has been shown to decrease airway resistance2... ECMO has been shown to reduce mortality rates in status asthmaticus and should be recognized as a salvage therapy in refractory status asthmaticus patients."

Anesthesia • Asthma • Immunology • Metabolic Disorders • Respiratory Diseases • Tobacco Addiction

The Effect of Increasing Number of Centrally Acting Medications Among Intubated on Delirium, Length of Stay, and Mortality (ATS 2025) - "A linear regression model was used to determine if there was a correlation between the daily maximal number of centrally acting medications (including: opioids, benzodiazepines, antiepileptic, ketamine, propofol, Alpha2-adrenergic agonist, antipsychotics, and muscle relaxers) and days intubated, delirium rates, hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, mortality at 28 days, and rates of reintubation...CONCLUSIONS Increasing the daily maximal numbers of centrally acting medications among intubated patients worsens rates of delirium, prolongs intubation time and hospital length of stay, but was not associated with increasing mortality, or higher reintubation rates. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of minimizing the daily maximum number of centrally acting medications in this population."

Addiction (Opioid and Alcohol) • Anesthesia • CNS Disorders • Pain

Enzymatic Engima: Serotonin Syndrome Shenanigans Complicating Calcium Channel Blocker Overdose Due to Common Metabolism Pathway (ATS 2025) - "Despite these meds only taken in normal amounts, their interaction lead to serotonin syndrome due to the common pathway of metabolism, including her ketamine sedation...The diagnosis required investigation of each agent's pathway of metabolism to elucidate the etiology. This displays the complex nature of serotonin syndrome that often leads to delayed diagnosis and highlights that physical examination along with thorough history are vital to its timely diagnosis."

Anesthesia • Bipolar Disorder • Cardiovascular • CNS Disorders • Hypertension • Hypotension • Mood Disorders • Psychiatry • CYP3A4

When Two Complications Collide: Navigating Wooden Chest Syndrome and Propofol Infusion Syndrome in the ICU (ATS 2025) - "Initial sedation included etomidate (20 mg IV), fentanyl (100 mcg), propofol (50 mg at 35 mcg/kg/min), succinylcholine (100 mg IV), and ketamine (500 mg)...Prompt discontinuation of fentanyl and vecuronium administration enabled successful WCS management...This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for rare complications like WCS and PRIS in critically ill patients. Early recognition and evidence-based intervention played a crucial role in managing this patient's complex ICU course. Continued research is essential to improve understanding and prevention strategies for these complications in critical care."

Anesthesia • Asthma • Dyslipidemia • Immunology • Infectious Disease • Metabolic Disorders • Pneumonia • Pulmonary Disease • Respiratory Diseases • Septic Shock