title: Post-electroconvulsive therapy agitation with etomidate.
abstract: Agitation immediately after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a common clinical problem. This can vary in severity from mild to severe and may necessitate the administration of sedating medications and at times physical restraint. There are many factors involved in the etiology of post-ECT agitation. One factor, the choice of anesthetic agent, is described in this case. Here, etomidate was associated with significant post-ECT agitation after several uneventful treatments with methohexital. The patient had no further episodes of post-ECT agitation after being switched back to methohexital.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. scott.freeman@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000771:Anesthesia, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005045:Etomidate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008723:Methohexital; D009325:Nausea / Q000139:chemically induced; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology
chemical_list: D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D008723:Methohexital; D005045:Etomidate