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2023 October 26

Ketamine-induced ventricular structural, sympathetic and electrophysiological remodelling: pathological consequences and protective effects of metoprolol PMC

On 26, Oct 2023 | No Comments | In Sober living | By sakiko

can ketamine cause a heart attack

Primary outcome was the incidence of new changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia apparent on ECG. Ischemia was defined using the third universal criteria from the Task Force for the Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (Table 1) [7]. Secondary outcomes included changes in vital signs after ketamine administration and a case-control analysis comparison of patients with changes suggestive of ischemia to those without.

can ketamine cause a heart attack

When used for recreational purposes, ketamine causes the mind to lose its grip on reality and enter into hallucinatory realm, according to the U. These same effects not only alter a person’s state of consciousness, but also impacts the alcohol and the brain body’s cardiovascular system as well as other major systems. Along with its needed effects, ketamine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

In this study, changes in NF-κB expression showed a similar trend to those of PARP-1. Thus, PARP-1–NF-κB pathway may also contribute to ketamine-induced apoptosis. A rough epicardium and notable grey areas were found on the gross view of the hearts in ketamine-treated rats and rabbits. In comparison, the epicardia of the control animals were smooth and pink. The epicardium in the ketamine plus metoprolol-treated animals showed no obvious grey and rough areas. The above cardiac pathological changes were identical in both rats and rabbits.

They suffered nystagmus, clonus, hind limb stand followed by immediate falling down. After 15–25 min, they recovered completely without any treatment, but looked tired. In addition, they nodded their heads rapidly and screamed occasionally.

Cardiac morphological changes, apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis of rats associated with ketamine administration

These reactions lasted for 1–3 min after injection, and full recovery required 15–25 min. In spite of it’s reputation as a “date rape” drug, ketamine actually offers certain medical benefits as an surgical anesthetic agent. Since ketamine can be used for medicinal purposes, it’s classified as a Schedule III controlled substance rather one of the more dangerous Schedule I narcotics like heroin. The study took place at an academic medical center with a level-one trauma designation that serves as a regional referral center for orthopedic injuries and other specialty care. People who use it claim that a ketamine trip is superior to a PCP or LSD trip because it produces shorter-term hallucinations that last 30 minutes to an hour instead of several hours. However, ketamine is only safe when a person takes the drug their doctor has prescribed for a specific purpose.

  1. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.
  2. Ketamine was not required to be the sole agent used and could be administered with other sedating and analgesic agents.
  3. Growing evidence suggests that long-term abuse of ketamine does harm the heart and increases the risk of sudden death.
  4. Ketamine’s effects on the heart can have long-term consequences for people who use this drug on a regular basis.

It is important to note that ketamine is no longer safe when individuals take it inappropriately. The danger increases with regular use since it can harm health and other aspects of life. In contrast, no recreational use of the drug is safe, as it can cause crack addiction signs and symptoms of crack cocaine use addiction and adverse health effects that can lead to death. While ketamine is safe to use in controlled medical practice, it becomes hazardous if someone takes it for recreational use as it may result in potentially life-threatening adverse effects.

Electrophysiological measurements

However, there is a concern that these physiological changes could result in an increased myocardial oxygen demand that may exacerbate underlying cardiac disease. Avoidance is recommended for patients with known coronary artery disease, older adults with risk factors for coronary artery disease, or those who are already hypertensive or tachycardic [1]. In this ketamine-induced model of cardiac toxicity, the PARP–AIF/NF-κB pathways may contribute to structural remodelling, while β-NGF may play an important role in sympathetic remodelling.

Ketamine is included in the American Heart Association (AHA) list of medications that may cause or exacerbate heart failure and has been reported to precipitate myocardial ischemia in the elderly [2,3]. There is limited evidence of ketamine precipitating myocardial ischemia during short-term use in the emergency department (ED). Effects of alcoholic liver disease administration of ketamine (Ket) for 12-weeks on sympathetic sprouting and distribution of nerve fibres. Growing evidence suggests that long-term abuse of ketamine does harm the heart and increases the risk of sudden death. The present study was performed to explore the cardiotoxicity of ketamine and the protective effects of metoprolol.

can ketamine cause a heart attack

Drug and molecular target nomenclature conforms to the British Journal of Pharmacology's Guide to Receptors and Channels (Alexander et al., 2011). We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Ketamine Effects on Heart Function

The Controlled Substance Act classifies ketamine as a Schedule III non-narcotic drug. Because of its pain-relieving and mental effects, it can cause dependence, the need to take higher doses to get the same effect, and addiction. No person with alcohol abuse disorder or alcohol intoxication should take ketamine, even in doctor-prescribed doses, as it can cause death. Both alcohol and ketamine are central nervous system depressants, so the combined effects are dangerous.

The small research team limited enrollment numbers and generalizability. Another limitation was possible effects of other medications used in the sedation. Timing of ECG obtained during sedation likely had some variability with attempt made to adhere to the one-minute post ketamine administration time frame. Procedural sedation for various indications commonly takes place in the ED setting.

ECGs were reviewed by the physician performing the sedation during acute care for any abnormal findings. Due to the real-time interpretation, any abnormal ECG findings were addressed during the ED visit with any necessary follow-up evaluations ordered. For study analysis, ECGs were reviewed by a board-certified emergency medicine physician and a board-certified cardiologist.

Metoprolol was effective in preventing the ketamine-induced cardiac toxicity in our experiments. Ketamine is a useful medication in procedural sedation; however, careful attention should be made in patient selection when ketamine is the desired agent. Consideration might be made in using the lowest possible dose of ketamine to obtain adequate sedation in order to hopefully lessen the occurrence of ECG changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia.

Despite these positive results, the authors warn that data on the use of ketamine for this condition are limited, so practitioners should consider the risks of the drug before prescribing it. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a form of status epilepticus that does not respond to standard antiseizure drugs. Keep reading to learn more about the uses, side effects, and risks of ketamine, as well as its interactions with alcohol and other drugs. Ketamin can sedate, incapacitate, and cause short-term memory loss, and because of this, some people use it as a date-rape drug. Injection of ketamine, the rats became overexcited and dysphoretic for about 1–3 min.

However, further research is necessary to verify the study findings and prove the safety of using ketamine to treat this condition. Ketamine is a medication that doctors use as an anesthetic to induce loss of consciousness. Under the Controlled Substances Act, health experts consider ketamine a schedule III non-narcotic substance. Masson's trichrome staining was performed exactly according to the manufacturer's protocols (Maxin Biotechnology, Fuzhou, China).

Ketamine’s effects on the heart can have long-term consequences for people who use this drug on a regular basis. According to the Journal of Advances in Clinical Toxicology, the brain’s inability to communicate with the cardiovascular system as normal takes a toll on the heart over time. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include Micromedex (updated 3 Mar 2024), Cerner Multum™ (updated 4 Mar 2024), ASHP (updated 10 Mar 2024) and others. Like any other addiction, ketamine can create a powerful bond that takes control of a person’s life.