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Intraoperative Ketamine Versus Saline in Depressed Patients Undergoing Anesthesia for Non-cardiac Surgery

Double-blind Trial of Intraoperative Ketamine Versus Saline in Depressed Patients Undergoing Anesthesia for Non-cardiac Surgery

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03861988
Enrollment
45
Registered
2019-03-05
Start date
2019-08-22
Completion date
2022-09-27
Last updated
2023-10-05

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder, Orthopedic Disorder, Surgery

Keywords

depression, ketamine, anesthesia, total joint arthroplasty

Brief summary

This study evaluates whether ketamine, given as part of an anesthetic, improves depression symptoms in depressed patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Half of participants will receive a ketamine infusion during surgery, while the other half will receive a placebo (normal saline) during surgery.

Detailed description

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is widely prevalent among patients preparing to have surgery, and is a known risk factor for complications after surgery, including wound infection, myocardial infarction and opioid use disorder. Ketamine has emerged as an effective, rapid-acting antidepressant therapy for patients with MDD, and may be a useful tool to prevent MDD-related morbidity in the perioperative period. Ketamine has been well studied for MDD in outpatient clinics where it is given as an infusion (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) in awake patients. Ketamine is often used as part of an anesthetic cocktail in sedated or anesthetized patients, but it is unknown whether ketamine has an antidepressant effect in this context. The investigators will determine whether a ketamine infusion, compared to placebo (normal saline infusion), has an antidepressant effect when given during surgical anesthesia. If ketamine is an effective antidepressant in this population under anesthesia, its use could be incorporated into a set of interventions to minimize the perioperative complications associated with MDD.

Interventions

DRUGKetamine

0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes, intravenous.

DRUGNormal saline (placebo)

Normal saline infusion over 40 minutes, equivalent volume to ketamine infusion.

Sponsors

Stanford University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Masking description

Masking is for double blind phase only.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Patient presenting for non-cardiac, non-intracranial surgery * Major Depressive Disorder

Exclusion criteria

* Pregnant of breastfeeding women

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScorePost-intervention days 1, 2 and 3The MADRS is a 10-item scale for the evaluation of depressive symptoms (Montgomery et al 1979). Each MADRS item is rated on a 0 to 6 scale. Total score range from 0-60, where lower MADRS scores indicate lower levels of depressive symptoms. The assessment for this outcome will be taken once daily on days 1, 2 and 3 post procedure. A mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) was used to analyze the difference in postoperative MADRS score between ketamine and placebo groups..

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Number of Participants With RemissionPost-intervention day 14Remission defined as a MADRS score of \<=12 on day 14. MADRS score range: 0 to 60, a lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.
Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScorePost-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14This outcome measures self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression on a scale that ranges from 0 to 42. A lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.
Cumulative Opioid UsePost-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14This outcome measures how many cumulative morphine-equivalents milligrams of opioid pain medication the patient has taken as an inpatient and after discharge from hospital
Number of Participants With Clinical ResponsePost-intervention days 1, 2 and 3Clinical response defined as \>=50% reduction in MADRS score from baseline. MADRS score range: 0 to 60, a lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.
Brief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScorePost-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14Average pain intensity in the past 24 hours, rated on a numerical scale from 0 to 10 (with 0 representing No pain and 10 representing Pain as bad as you can imagine).
Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScorePost-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14Pain interference in the past 24 hours, rated on a numerical scale from 0 to 10 (with 0 representing Does not interfere and 10 representing Completely interferes).
Hospital Length of StayAverage approximately 3 days post-interventionNumber of days from admission (day of surgery) through discharge after surgery.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

For the open-label arm, recruitment occurred between August 2019 and March 2020. For the double-blind arms, recruitment occurred between February 2020 and August 2022. In all arms, recruitment occurred in medical clinics and by telephone and video visits.

Pre-assignment details

Five participants were recruited for an open label study to evaluate and optimize study procedures prior to randomizing participants enrolled in the double-blind trial (Double blind ketamine vs Double blind placebo).

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Open Label Ketamine
Patients received intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) infusion during surgery.
5
Double Blind Ketamine
Patients received intravenous ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) infusion during surgery.
20
Double Blind Placebo
Participants received placebo (normal saline infusion over 40 minutes) during surgery.
20
Total45

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicOpen Label KetamineTotalDouble Blind PlaceboDouble Blind Ketamine
Age, Continuous62.3 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.4
52.4 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.3
51.9 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.9
50.5 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
0 Participants4 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
4 Participants39 Participants17 Participants18 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants2 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants2 Participants2 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants4 Participants2 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants2 Participants0 Participants2 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants5 Participants2 Participants3 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
5 Participants31 Participants13 Participants13 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
5 Participants45 Participants20 Participants20 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
3 Participants31 Participants16 Participants12 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
2 Participants14 Participants4 Participants8 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
EG002
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 51 / 200 / 20
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 57 / 206 / 20
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 51 / 202 / 20

Outcome results

Primary

Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) Score

The MADRS is a 10-item scale for the evaluation of depressive symptoms (Montgomery et al 1979). Each MADRS item is rated on a 0 to 6 scale. Total score range from 0-60, where lower MADRS scores indicate lower levels of depressive symptoms. The assessment for this outcome will be taken once daily on days 1, 2 and 3 post procedure. A mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM) was used to analyze the difference in postoperative MADRS score between ketamine and placebo groups..

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2 and 3

Population: Missing data occurred when the number of participants analyzed on specific days was fewer than the overall number of participants analyzed. This situation arose when some participants did not complete the instrument.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 225.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.3
Open Label KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 310.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.1
Open Label KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 117.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 13
Double Blind KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 317.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.5
Double Blind KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 112.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.6
Double Blind KetamineMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 215.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.1
Double Blind PlaceboMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 217.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 11.5
Double Blind PlaceboMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 317.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12
Double Blind PlaceboMontgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) ScoreDay 116.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 17.5
p-value: 0.13Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Brief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale Score

Average pain intensity in the past 24 hours, rated on a numerical scale from 0 to 10 (with 0 representing No pain and 10 representing Pain as bad as you can imagine).

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14

Population: Missing data occurred when the number of participants analyzed on specific days was fewer than the overall number of participants analyzed. This situation arose when some participants did not complete the instrument.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 14.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.8
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 25.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 33.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 54.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.3
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 74.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.4
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 144.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 3
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 144.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.5
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 16.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 55.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.7
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 75.1 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.2
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 25.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.1
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 35.5 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.9
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 26.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.3
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 35.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.4
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 143.7 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 54.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.3
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 15.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.8
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Intensity Scale ScoreDay 74.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.4
Secondary

Brief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale Score

Pain interference in the past 24 hours, rated on a numerical scale from 0 to 10 (with 0 representing Does not interfere and 10 representing Completely interferes).

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14

Population: Missing data occurred when the number of participants analyzed on specific days was fewer than the overall number of participants analyzed. This situation arose when some participants did not complete the instrument.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 77.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.8
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 144.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 56.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.3
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 34.8 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.2
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 16.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.7
Open Label KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 26.3 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 18.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.6
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 76.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.8
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 28.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.5
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 57.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 146.2 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.2
Double Blind KetamineBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 37.5 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.6
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 145.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.5
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 17.6 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.2
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 28.1 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.1
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 37.7 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.8
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 57.0 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 2.9
Double Blind PlaceboBrief Pain Inventory Pain Interference Scale ScoreDay 77.2 units on a scaleStandard Deviation 3.1
Secondary

Cumulative Opioid Use

This outcome measures how many cumulative morphine-equivalents milligrams of opioid pain medication the patient has taken as an inpatient and after discharge from hospital

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14

Population: In the open-label group, total opioid consumption was recorded only for the first 3 postoperative days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 2249.3 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 173.2
Open Label KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 1108.5 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 72.2
Open Label KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 3361.5 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 237.3
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 3137.9 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 165.9
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 160.9 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 60.3
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 2104.6 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 109
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 5150.6 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 204.3
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 7171.6 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 219
Double Blind KetamineCumulative Opioid UseDay 14206.1 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 270.1
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 7163.3 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 221.4
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 5156.2 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 218.7
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 14186.4 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 242.3
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 2107.7 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 126.3
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 156.1 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 61.5
Double Blind PlaceboCumulative Opioid UseDay 3144.3 milligram morphine equivalentsStandard Deviation 188.4
Secondary

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale Score

This outcome measures self-reported symptoms of anxiety and depression on a scale that ranges from 0 to 42. A lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 14

Population: Missing data occurred when the number of participants analyzed on specific days was fewer than the overall number of participants analyzed. This situation arose when some participants did not complete the instrument.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 114.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.4
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 222.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 12.7
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 313.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.2
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 516.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10.2
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 719.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 10
Open Label KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 1414.0 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 9.7
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 1416.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.2
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 117.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.6
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 518.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 4.8
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 718.4 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.3
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 218.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.5
Double Blind KetamineHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 319.3 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.3
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 221.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.9
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 320.8 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.4
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 1417.2 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.5
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 518.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.3
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 119.9 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 5.5
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) Scale ScoreDay 719.6 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 8.1
Secondary

Hospital Length of Stay

Number of days from admission (day of surgery) through discharge after surgery.

Time frame: Average approximately 3 days post-intervention

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Open Label KetamineHospital Length of Stay3.7 daysStandard Deviation 0.9
Double Blind KetamineHospital Length of Stay1.9 daysStandard Deviation 1.7
Double Blind PlaceboHospital Length of Stay4.0 daysStandard Deviation 3.3
Secondary

Number of Participants With Clinical Response

Clinical response defined as \>=50% reduction in MADRS score from baseline. MADRS score range: 0 to 60, a lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.

Time frame: Post-intervention days 1, 2 and 3

Population: Includes all participants still enrolled in the trial

ArmMeasureGroupValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Open Label KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 21 Participants
Open Label KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 12 Participants
Open Label KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 33 Participants
Double Blind KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 210 Participants
Double Blind KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 112 Participants
Double Blind KetamineNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 39 Participants
Double Blind PlaceboNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 110 Participants
Double Blind PlaceboNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 310 Participants
Double Blind PlaceboNumber of Participants With Clinical ResponseDay 212 Participants
Secondary

Number of Participants With Remission

Remission defined as a MADRS score of \<=12 on day 14. MADRS score range: 0 to 60, a lower score indicates lower severity of symptoms.

Time frame: Post-intervention day 14

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
Open Label KetamineNumber of Participants With Remission3 Participants
Double Blind KetamineNumber of Participants With Remission8 Participants
Double Blind PlaceboNumber of Participants With Remission10 Participants

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 10, 2026