Characteristics and circumstances of death related to the self-administration of ketamine.
Abstract
Ketamine is used for anaesthesia, sedation and the treatment of mood disorders, but is also widely used for non-medical purposes. This study aimed to: (1) determine the characteristics and circumstances of all recorded cases of self-administered ketamine-related death in Australia, 2000-19 and (2) determine the toxicology and major organ pathology of cases. Retrospective study of all Australian cases in which self-administered ketamine was a mechanism contributory to death, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System. Australia-wide. Sixty-eight cases, with a mean age of 35.2 years (standard deviation = 11.5, range = 16-63), 76.5% male. Information was collected on cause of death, demographics, circumstances of death, toxicology and major organ pathology. Death was attributed to toxicity in 82.3% of cases (accidental, 58.8%; deliberate, 23.5%), suicide by violent means (8.8%) and traumatic accident (8.8%). In six cases the decedent had been prescribed ketamine. In 32.4% the final route of ketamine administration was by injection. The fatal incident predominantly occurred in a private environment (72.1%). Ketamine was present in the blood of 90.1% and other biomarkers in the remainder. The median blood ketamine conce...Continue Reading
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