Comparison of Propofol and Thiopentone as Induction Agents for Modified Electroconvulsive Therapy

Abstract

ABSTRACT:The aim of the study was to compare the seizure duration, haemodynamic changes and recovery characteristics following modified electro convulsive therapy (ECT) between propofol and thiopentone, used as anaesthetic agents. Forty patients who presented for a minimum of two ECT treatments consecutively were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either 1 % propofol or 2.5 % thiopentone for their first treatment and the other drug was administered on the second occasion. All patients were preoxygenated for three minutes. Isolation of a limb was done in the upper limb at the level of the arm by using a blood pressure cuff that was inflated 50mmHg above systolic blood pressure. Anaesthesia was induced. Following the onset of anaesthetic effect, depolarizing muscle relaxant succinyl choline was administered intravenously. Muscle fasiculations or fine twitching movements monitored. The electrical stimulus was delivered by the attending psychiatrist using bifrontal electrodes. The duration of motor seizure in isolated limb was recorded. Thus concluding propofol is better induction agent than thiopentone sodium for modified electroconvulsive therapy.