First IV Ketamine Case for TRD in Argentinian Public Hospital

Argentina Documents First Public Hospital IV Ketamine Case for TRD

Argentina’s public health sector has reported its first documented case of intravenous (IV) ketamine administered for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), as detailed in a September 2026 case report (OpenAlex). This case involved a 41-year-old male patient treated at a public hospital, marking a notable milestone for the adoption of psychedelic-assisted interventions in Latin American public health systems. The report provides granular insight into the diagnostic process, dosing regimen, and clinical outcomes, offering a rare look at the operational realities of implementing ketamine therapy outside North American and European contexts.

Mechanism of Action and Clinical Context

Ketamine, an NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist, has demonstrated rapid-onset antidepressant and antisuicidal effects in multiple phase II and III trials, primarily in North America and Europe. In the Argentinian case, the patient received subanesthetic IV ketamine infusions after failing to respond to multiple standard antidepressant regimens. The report notes a significant reduction in depressive symptoms within hours of administration, consistent with existing literature. However, the case also underscores that sustained benefit often requires repeated dosing or adjunctive therapy, a challenge for resource-constrained public systems.

This case is particularly significant because it demonstrates the technical feasibility and safety of IV ketamine administration in a public hospital setting with limited infrastructure. The team adapted international protocols to local constraints, such as limited access to continuous monitoring equipment and the need for staff training on ketamine’s unique side effect profile. This adaptation process is often omitted in reports from well-resourced centers, providing a concrete example of how global implementation may differ from clinical trial conditions.

Policy and Research Implications for Global Access

The introduction of IV ketamine for TRD in an Argentinian public hospital signals a shift toward broader international adoption of psychedelic-assisted therapies. For policymakers and health system leaders, this case illustrates both the potential and the operational hurdles of integrating such interventions into public health settings. Key considerations include:

• Regulatory Frameworks: Argentina currently lacks a unified national policy on psychedelic therapies, and this case may prompt further regulatory scrutiny or guideline development.
• Training and Infrastructure: The report highlights the importance of clinician training and monitoring capacity, which may be limited in many public hospitals across Latin America and other emerging markets.
• Cost and Access: The practicalities of sourcing pharmaceutical-grade ketamine and ensuring equitable access remain unresolved, particularly for uninsured or underinsured populations.

For researchers, the case provides a foundation for multicenter observational studies or pragmatic trials in similar health systems. It also raises the question of how best to measure long-term outcomes and safety in real-world settings, where follow-up may be inconsistent.

Risks, Unknowns, and Implementation Challenges

While IV ketamine has shown promise in controlled trials, its use in public health systems introduces several new risks and uncertainties. Adverse effects such as dissociation, transient blood pressure elevation, and potential for misuse require careful monitoring and staff education. The Argentinian team reported no serious adverse events in this case, but acknowledged the limitations of single-case data and the need for robust adverse event reporting systems.

Another critical unknown is the sustainability of benefit: ketamine’s antidepressant effects are often transient, and repeated infusions may not be feasible for all patients or health systems. This raises the risk of treatment discontinuity and the ethical challenge of initiating a therapy that cannot be maintained. The report also notes logistical hurdles, such as drug procurement and patient follow-up, which may be more pronounced in public sector settings than in private clinics or research trials.

Outlook: Toward Scalable and Equitable Psychedelic Therapies

The first Argentinian public hospital case of IV ketamine for TRD represents a concrete step toward internationalizing access to psychedelic-assisted therapies, but also exposes the complexities of real-world implementation. As more health systems consider integrating these interventions, lessons from early adopters like Argentina will be critical in shaping policy, training, and infrastructure investments. A non-obvious implication is that successful scale-up may hinge less on regulatory approval and more on the development of sustainable clinical pathways and support systems tailored to local realities. Ongoing data collection, pragmatic trials, and cross-border knowledge exchange will be essential to ensure that psychedelic therapies are both effective and accessible in diverse global contexts.

How we research: This article was written by Dr. Sofia Martínez, MD, MPH, a clinical psychiatrist and public health researcher, and reviewed by Dr. Tomás García, PhD, on 2026-09-22. Primary source: OpenAlex Case Report.