Quelling of Excitotoxicity in Acute Stroke With Ketamine

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All patients who are 18 years or older, presenting or admitted to the study site with acute ischemic stroke, up to 24 hours since their last known well time
2. An MRI evidence of acute ischemic infarct on the diffusion-weighted imaging with ADC correlate
3. Pre-stroke modified Rankin scale of 0-2
4. Patient should be willing to participate in the study by providing a written consent himself/herself or through a proxy.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Eligibility to receive IV Alteplase or intra-arterial thrombectomy/embolectomy
2. Longer than 24 hours since last known well time
3. Pre-stroke modified Rankin scale of 3 or above.
4. Pregnant or lactating females
5. Pre-existing psychiatric illness
6. Intracranial hemorrhage of any type at presentation
7. Seizure at onset of symptoms
8. Sustained uncontrolled hypertension defined as Systolic Blood pressure greater than 185 mmHg or Diastolic Blood Pressure greater than 110 mmHg, despite administration of antihypertensive medications
9. Known hypersensitivity or adverse reaction to prior administration of Ketamine
10. Inability/refusal to provide consent by the patient or through a proxy