Combined alfentanil-methohexital anesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy.
Eight patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were anesthetized with alfentanil, 25 mcg/kg, plus 20 mg methohexital, alternating with standard methohexital anesthesia. Combination alfentanil-methohexital anesthesia was associated with a 45% increase in EEG seizure duration. Preliminary evidence suggests that ECT anesthesia using short-acting opiate compounds may prove to be a promising alternative to standard modified ECT, especially for patients with brief seizures.
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110-1093, USA.
S H
SH
Dinwiddie
K E
KE
Isenberg
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015760:Alfentanil; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008723:Methohexital; D008875:Middle Aged
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D015760:Alfentanil; D008723:Methohexital