The Comparison of the Effects of Propofol and Etomidate on Seizure Duration and Hemodynamic Responses during ECT / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The clinical efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) primarily depends on the adequacy of the seizure duration, but the intravenous anesthetics which are commonly used for ECT may possess anticonvulsant properties and shorten the seizure duration. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of propofol and etomidate on seizure duration and hemodynamic responses during ECT. METHODS: 30 patients undergoing maintenance ECTs were evaluated and divided into two groups randomly. Hypnosis was induced with a bolus injection of either 1.5 mg/kg of propofol or 0.3 mg/kg of etomidate in each group. Time to unconsciousness, seizure duration, heart rate, mean arterial pressure and recovery time were measured after delivery of electrical stimulus. The dynamic energy (joules) delivered was recorded. Correlation between seizure duration and recovery time was calculated and the rates of seizure induction failure after first electrical stimulus were compared. RESULTS: The seizure duration was shorter in the propofol group (34.0 +/- 3.8 s) than in the etomidate group (50.0 +/- 4.0 s)(P < 0.01). The heart rate was significantly lower in the propofol group (132.1 +/- 3.8, 99.7 +/- 6.2 bpm) than in the etomidate group (146.0 +/- 4.2, 119.8 +/- 7.5 bpm) at the time of ECT and 1 min after ECT respectively (P < 0.05). The mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in the propofol group than in the etomidate group from the time of ECT to 10 min after ECT (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol showed excellent hemodynamic stability and was a good hypnotic for ECT therapy, but etomidate might be a useful alternative to propofol in patients who have an inadequate seizure duration.

The Effect of Clonidine Pretreatment on Cardiovascular Response and Seizure Duration according to Electroconvulsive Therapy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Elecroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is frequently associated with cardiovascular complications such as hypertension and tachycardia. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether clonidine given as an oral preanesthetic medication would influence the hemodynamic stress response, peripheral oxygen saturation and seizure duration which follows ECT. METHODS: Twenty-two ASA physical status I, II patients with major depressive disorders were included in a crossover study design and assigned randomly to either a control group who received placebo, or a clonidine group who received oral clonidine of 3 microgram/kg 90 min before preparation of ECT. All patients received glycopyrrolate 0.2 mg intramuscularly 60 min before anesthetic induction. Electrocardiography, pulse oximetry, and blood pressure monitors were applied to all patients. Patients were pre-oxygenated with 100% O2. Patients received thiopental 2.5 mg/kg and succinylcholine 0.5 mg/kg for anesthetic induction. Noninvasive mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate, and oxygen saturation were recorded just before test drug administration, immediately before ECT, and each minute for five minutes after ECT. The times from ECT stimulus to the cessation of clonic-tonic motor activity in the "isolated" arm were noted. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in MAP (P = 0.007) through the peri-ECT period in groups with oral clonidine pretreatment (3 microgram/kg) relative to the control group. There were no significant differences in heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation values between two groups. The duration of motor seizure activity was similar between the clonidine pretreatment and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that oral clonidine 3 microgram/kg as a pretreatment medication is effective in attenuating the MAP increase in routine ECT.

The Effect of the Intravenous Esmolol on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate during Electroconvulsive Therapy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) that works by electrically inducing grand mal seizure is an effective therapy for patients with major psychosis and affective disorders. But ECT may produce intense stimulation of the central nervous system resulting in hypertension and tachycardia. Such an acute hyperdynamic state may be undesirable because of possible cardiovascular complications. We compared the ability of different bolus doses of esmolol to blunt the hemodynamic effects of ECT. METHODS: Twenty ASA physical status 1~2 patients were enrolled in a crossover design study to determine the effects of two standard esmolol bolus doses (0.5 mg/kg and 1.0 mg/kg) on the hemodynamic response and seizure duration during ECT. In each patients receiving esmolol or placebo, arterial pressure, heart rate, seizure duration and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded. RESULTS: The seizure duration with placebo was 43 +/- 9 sec, esmolol 0.5 mg/kg bolus dose was 39 +/- 14 sec and esmolol 1.0 mg/kg bolus dose was 39 +/- 12 sec, but it was not significant. Compared with esmolol 0.5 mg/kg bolus dose, esmolol 1.0 mg/kg bolus dose decreased blood pressure and heart rate during ECT more effectively. CONCLUSIONS: Esmolol 1.0 mg/kg bolus dose was considered to be the better dose in blunting the hyperdynamic response during ECT without shortening of seizure duration.

Comparision of Propofol and Thiopental Sodium as Anesthetic Induction Agents for Electroconvulsive Therapy / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive(ECT) or electroshock therapy(EST) remains controversial and its indications are still the subject of discussion. Despite both medical and legal opposition, it is still widely practiced. The aim of ECT is to produce a grand mal seizure rather than the electrical stimulus which is responsible for the therapeutic effect. This causes widespread physiological changes, particularly affecting the cardiovascular and nervous system. The anesthetic agents for ECT should provide a smoooth rapid induction, a rapid recovery and attenuation of the physiologic effect of ECT. METHODS: Propofol(1 mg/kg) and thiopental sodium(2 mg/kg) were compared as anesthetic agents for ECT in 20 patients on four occasions in a repeated measure crossover study. In each patients receiving propofol or thiopental sodium on different occasions, arterial pressure, heart rate, seizure duration and recovery time were recorded. RESULTS: The incidence of discomfort on injection was significantly higher with propofol (47.5%) compared to thiopental sodium (2.5%). The duration of seizure with propofol was 37+/-11.3 sec and thiopental sodium was 41.2+/-11.6 sec but it was not significant(P=0.11). The increase in systolic and diastolic arterial pressure and heart rate were higher with thiopental sodium. Recovery time was significantly shorter with thiopental sodium (476.5+/-47.7 sec) compares to propofol (506.6+/-62.2 sec) (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol is more effective than thiopental sodium at obtunding the hypertensive to ECT without causing significant hypotention.