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The Lysing of Catatonia With Intravenous Ketamine Prior to Definitive Treatment With Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Erich J Conrad, Zachary F Stielper, Isabelle V Mermilliod, Matthew R Eng

The Journal of ECT April 15, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/YCT.0000000000001151 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population A patient with refractory catatonia
Intervention Intravenous ketamine
Topics Ketamine Esketamine
Keywords #ketamine-therapy ketamine treatment Ketamine infusion #catatonia-treatment catatonic syndrome Catatonic state #ect electroconvulsive therapy Electroshock therapy #emergency
Key findings Intravenous ketamine successfully resolved catatonia in a patient, allowing avoidance of complications and procedures before definitive electroconvulsive therapy.

Abstract

The presence of catatonia refractory to routine pharmacologic management is often subsequently managed by electroconvulsive therapy. However, legal obstacles that delay the initiation of electroconvulsive therapy in a timely fashion may be present. This may lead to prolonged risks associated with immobility and result in other procedures such as percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement. We present a case of successful lysing of catatonia with intravenous ketamine that allowed a patient to avoid potential complications and other procedures prior to definitive treatment with electroconvulsive therapy. Further research of this potential treatment of catatonia is needed as this may change the current approach to refractory catatonia.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on ketamine, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The destruction of the lower urinary tract by ketamine abuse: a new syndrome? Young recreational abusers of street-ketamine in Hong Kong referred to urology units 2008 Retrospective case series n = 59
Electroconvulsive Therapy, Ketamine, and Esketamine in a Patient with Major Depressive Disorder and Multiple Comorbidities: A Case Report over 10-year Treatment from Adolescence to Adulthood. A patient with treatment-resistant depression and comorbid generalized anxiety... 2025 Case report n = 1
Treatment of compulsive behaviour in eating disorders with intermittent ketamine infusions Chronic and treatment-resistant eating disorder patients 1998 Case series n = 15
Oral Administration of the NMDA Receptor Antagonist S-Ketamine as Add-On Therapy of Depression: A Case Series Four depressed patients taking standard antidepressants 2009 Case series n = 4
A longitudinal case series of IM ketamine for patients with severe and enduring eating disorders and comorbid treatment‐resistant depression Patients with enduring eating disorders and treatment-resistant depression 2021 Case series n = 4

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Ketamine Esketamine