Ketamine as an alternative to ECT in catatonia in elderly women with bipolar disorder: A case report.
Shanthi Sarma, Arulmathy Arunachalam, Memunatu Kamara, Grace Branjerdporn
Frontiers in psychiatry January 1, 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1138772 via PubMed
Summary
Two patients with catatonic depression in bipolar disorder who were not medically fit for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) received intravenous ketamine instead. Both patients' symptoms resolved and they returned to their baseline level of functioning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when ECT poses risks as an aerosol-generating procedure and resources are limited, ketamine therapy for catatonia may be a beneficial alternative or supportive treatment to ECT, warranting further research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2 |
| Population | Patients with catatonic depression in bipolar disorder referred for ECT |
| Topics | Depression Ketamine |
| Keywords | Covid-19 Bipolar disorder Catatonia Electroconvulsive therapy ect |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | Intravenous ketamine resolved catatonic symptoms in two patients with bipolar disorder who were not medically fit for ECT. |
Abstract
The following paper described two cases of patients with catatonic depression in bipolar disorder (BD) referred to our electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) service. Both were deemed not medically fit for ECT, and were, instead, treated with intravenous (IV) ketamine. Both responded with a resolution of symptoms, returning to baseline level of functioning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, given the risks associated with providing ECT (an aerosol generating procedure) and, in the context of limited resources, ketamine therapy for catatonia is a potentially beneficial alternative or supportive treatment to ECT that merits additional research.