The impact of ketamine on ICU mortality in patients with sepsis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors' conclusion
In this retrospective cohort, ketamine exposure was associated with lower 7-day ICU mortality; however, residual confounding and heterogeneity in timing, dose, and indication for ketamine use cannot be excluded.
Study context
- Population
- ICU patients with sepsis (MIMIC-IV database)2,612 after propensity score matching (PSM)
- Participants
- 25,252 patients
- Exposure
- Ketamine vs no ketamine
- Outcome
- 7-day and 14-day ICU mortality
- Follow-up
- 7 and 14 days
Methodological detailspropensity-score matched, MIMIC-IV database
- Propensity-score matched
- MIMIC-IV database
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
7-day ICU mortality · 7 days
Ketamine vs No ketamineHazard ratio (CI)P value
Three HRs reported; all P < 0.05
0.65(0.48–0.89)
P < 0.057-day ICU mortality
0.63(0.46–0.86)
P < 0.057-day ICU mortality
0.62(0.45–0.85)
P < 0.05Observational data: associations, not effects.
Secondary outcomes
ICU and total hospital LOS
- ICU and total hospital stays longer in the ketamine group
Original publication
The impact of ketamine on ICU mortality in patients with sepsis: A retrospective cohort study. J Crit Care. Published 6 January 2026. doi:10.
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