title: Dexmedetomidine and the successful management of electroconvulsive therapy postictal agitation: a case report.
abstract: Postictal agitation after electroconvulsive therapy is a common and serious condition and when severe, requires prompt intervention to safeguard the patient and medical staff from the potential for mayhem and physical harm. We present a case report on the successful use of dexmedetomidine, an alpha2 agonist, in the postictal management of severe agitation in a 34-year-old morbidly obese woman, after prior modes of intervention had failed to deliver ideal conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Rosenquist
authors.forename: James N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Kimball
authors.forename: Gregory N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Bryan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Lorraine M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Arias
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003693:Delirium / Q000150:complications; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine