Comparative study of esmolol and labetalol to attenuate haemodynamic responses after electroconvulsive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
The study was designed to evaluate the hemodynamic effects of Esmolol and labetalol in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy.


METHODS
Ninety patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy treatment were studied according to randomized, double blind placebo controlled protocol. Ninety patients were divided into three groups with thirty patients in each group. Patients received either Esmolol (1 mg/kg), Labetalol (0.25 mg/kg) or Normal Saline (placebo) intravenously just after induction with propofol. The baseline heart rate and blood pressure were recorded. Hemodynamic parameters before and after drug therapy and after the ECT current application, were recorded at different time intervals.


RESULTS
It was found that Esmolol significantly attenuated the degree of tachycardia and hypertension after ECT in comparison with placebo in the first three minutes (p<0.05), whereas the rise in HR and blood pressure was significantly blunted in the labetalol group in comparison to placebo, from three minutes onward till ten minutes. (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It was concluded that Esmolol is effective in blunting the hemodynamic response after ECT stimulus in the first three minutes after application of the electrical current, whereas Labetalol is effective after five minutes onwards till ten minutes.
Shrestha
S
S
Department of Anaesthesia and IC, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu. sanjay_kmcth@yahoo.com
Shrestha
B R
BR
Thapa
C
C
Pradhan
S N
SN
Thapa
R
R
Adhikari
S
S
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007741:Labetalol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D010919:Placebos; D011412:Propanolamines; C036604:esmolol; D007741:Labetalol