Cardiovascular Effects of Non-Selective Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors and Intranasal Esketamine Combination in Depression - A Quasi-Experimental Design with Bayesian Analyses.
Ludovic C Dormegny-Jeanjean, Suzie Lenoir, Ilia Humbert, Olivier A E Mainberger, Coraline Lozere, Camille Meyer, Bernard Geny, Bruno Michel, Jack R Foucher, Clément de Crespin de Billy
Pharmacopsychiatry June 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1055/a-2590-3469 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Patients receiving esketamine sessions for resistant depression |
| Intervention | Esketamine |
| Duration | 2 hours per session |
| Topics | Depression Esketamine |
| Keywords | Antidepressants Mental health Medical research Drug safety |
| Citations | 1 |
| Registration | NCT05530668 |
| Key findings | Esketamine combined with non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors did not produce clinically significant blood pressure elevations. |
Abstract
Ketamine and esketamine (ESK) offer new treatment options for resistant depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants, they can be used in combination with non-selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors (NS-MAOI) without the risk of serotonergic syndrome. However, potential sympathomimetic synergy may lead to elevated blood pressure (BP). This series investigates whether cardiovascular parameters (heart rate, systolic [SP], and diastolic [DP] pressures) increase during ESK sessions and whether the ESK+NS-MAOI combination is associated with BP elevations.We collected cardiovascular parameters for ESK sessions conducted between 2018 and 2022. These parameters were measured at baseline and every 30 min for 2 h. Patients were categorized into two non-equivalent groups: those receiving ESK alone and those receiving ESK+NS-MAOI. A Bayesian random model was used to estimate the evolution of these parameters, while a Bayesian hierarchical model assessed factors contributing to BP elevation.ESK sessions (n=193), of which 116 involved NS-MAOI, were performed in 13 patients. SP, DP, and heart rate showed peak increases during sessions, but these changes were not clinically significant (SP+8.68 mmHg, DP+6.57 mmHg, and heart rate+3.5 bpm). No significant differences were found between the ESK-alone and ESK+NS-MAOI groups. The combination was not identified as a factor linked to BP elevations.These findings align with previous research on ketamine derivatives and suggest minimal peripheric sympathomimetic synergy with NS-MAOI. Bayesian models were used to account for biases intrinsically related to these ecological data and provide a foundation for future open adversarial collaborations. Registration NCT05530668.