Ketamine’s dissociative power can transform mental health, but only when airway management, hemodynamic expertise, and emergency readiness are baked into every infusion.
Ketamine is powerful medicine
Ketamine’s rapid antidepressant effect is revolutionary, but it is still an anesthetic with the ability to alter respiration, blood pressure, and cognition within minutes. At Klarity we treat it with the same respect we would in an operating room, which is why anesthesiologists lead every infusion. Our role is to titrate the dose, anticipate physiologic responses, and act immediately if a patient’s airway or cardiovascular system deviates from baseline.
Airway management is non-negotiable
Even though serious respiratory compromise is rare, dissociation and muscle relaxation can cause airway obstruction or hypoventilation—especially in patients with sleep apnea, high BMI, or concurrent benzodiazepine use. Anesthesiologists are trained to recognize those subtleties early, reposition the airway, deliver oxygen, or escalate to advanced interventions without hesitation.
Hemodynamic stability requires constant vigilance
Ketamine stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which can lead to abrupt increases in heart rate and blood pressure. For patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or autonomic dysregulation, that surge can be dangerous. Our teams monitor vitals continuously, adjusting infusion rates or administering adjunct medications to maintain safe parameters. The goal is to harness ketamine’s neuroplastic benefits without introducing avoidable risk.
Safety checklist
Every Klarity suite includes crash carts, airway equipment, ACLS-certified clinicians, and real-time telemetry. We also practice emergency drills monthly to keep reflexes sharp.
Who benefits from anesthesiology oversight
- Patients with complex medical histories who require nuanced medication management.
- Individuals on polypharmacy regimens where drug interactions may mask or amplify ketamine’s effects.
- People with trauma and chronic pain who may need adjustments to dosing mid-infusion to remain grounded and safe.
Collaboration with psychiatry & integration
Anesthesia expertise is only one piece of the puzzle. Klarity anesthesiologists work shoulder-to-shoulder with psychiatrists, therapists, and integration specialists to align clinical decisions with therapeutic goals. We believe ketamine therapy should feel both safe and sacred—never like a standalone drug drip. By pairing depth of monitoring with compassionate care, we ensure patients experience profound relief without compromising medical standards.
Takeaway
Ketamine’s promise is real, but so are its physiological impacts. Partnering with an anesthesiology-led team means you receive dissociation-dose precision, continuous monitoring, and emergency readiness that matches hospital-grade care—all within a setting designed to nurture long-term mental health outcomes.