title: Seizure length with sevoflurane and thiopental for induction of general anesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy: a randomized double-blind trial.
abstract: In general, seizure length does not correlate with clinical outcome with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), but whether markedly short seizures are still therapeutic is unknown. Furthermore, seizure length effects on clinical outcome in ECT may be different among the various anesthetic agents available. Several studies have investigated the use of inhalational anesthesia in ECT with sevoflurane. In general, seizure length when reported has been in the range of typical values encountered in practice. We recently completed a randomized double blind trial with sevoflurane induction compared with thiopental. Seizure duration with sevoflurane anesthesia was 8 seconds shorter than with thiopental for electroencephalogram and 6.4 seconds shorter for motor, the latter just barely missing statistical significance. Absolute values for seizure duration with both sevoflurane and thiopental are well within typical ranges for those seen with the more commonly used methohexital as anesthetic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. rasmussen.keith@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Laurila
authors.forename: Bret M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Brady
authors.forename: Christy L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Kimberly D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Niemeyer
authors.forename: Norazlina M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Marie E S
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Marienau
authors.forename: W Michael
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hooten
authors.forename: Darrell R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Schroeder
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Spackman
mesh_terms: D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012640:Seizures / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013874:Thiopental / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D013874:Thiopental