Efficacy and safety of venlafaxine-ECT combination in treatment-resistant depression.
Thirteen patients with treatment-resistant major depression were given venlafaxine, at doses ranging from 150 mg to 375 mg, combined with ECT. Propofol was used as an anesthetic. Ten of 13 (76.9%) were considered responsive to combined ECT-venlafaxine treatment, and positive responses were not associated with venlafaxine doses. An asystole episode was observed in 4 patients; these patients had received significantly higher doses of venlafaxine (P<0.01). Treatment seems to be safe at venlafaxine doses <300 mg/day. At higher doses, with propofol used as anesthetic, the possibility of asystole cannot be ruled out. A possible additive effect of high-dose venlafaxine and propofol-blocking sodium channels are discussed.
Gonzalez-Pinto
Ana
A
Hospital Santiago Apostol, Department of Psychiatry, Vitoria, Spain. agonzalez@sscc.osakidetza.net
Gutierrez
Miguel
M
Gonzalez
Nekane
N
Elizagarate
Edorta
E
Perez de Heredia
Jose L
JL
Mico
Juan A
JA
D000368:Aged; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015742:Propofol / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015222:Sodium Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D015222:Sodium Channels; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride; D015742:Propofol