title: Effects of S-ketamine as an anesthetic adjuvant to propofol on treatment response to electroconvulsive therapy in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ketamine in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) anesthesia has been reported to be associated with better seizure quality and longer duration compared with methohexital anesthesia. Furthermore, ketamine may enhance the efficacy of ECT while having rapid independent antidepressant properties itself. However, data on the effects of ketamine with ECT are inconsistent, and there are no reports of S-ketamine. The aim of the present pilot study was to explore the effects of S-ketamine as an adjuvant to propofol on the efficacy, seizure duration, and quality of electroencephalography in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients with a recurrent severe or psychotic major depressive disorder with treatment resistance to antidepressants were included in the study. For induction of anesthesia, the patients were randomized into 2 study groups. The S-ketamine group first received S-ketamine (0.4 mg/kg) as a bolus and then propofol. The treatment-as-usual group first received saline and then propofol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant and clinically relevant reduction in the depression symptom scores was found in both study groups during ECT. There was no difference in the magnitude or speed of response between the study groups, nor was there any difference in the numbers of ECT treatments, seizure thresholds, seizure durations, and the electrical doses either. The patients recovered from anesthesia equally, but the degree of posttreatment disorientation and restlessness was more marked in the S-ketamine group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, a subanesthetic adjuvant dose of S-ketamine with propofol may not increase the effects of ECT in patients with treatment-resistant depression. However, S-ketamine was associated with increased posttreatment disorientation and restlessness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. kaija.jarventausta@pshp.fi
authors.forename: Kaija
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Järventausta
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chrapek
authors.forename: Olli
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kampman
authors.forename: Kati
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tuohimaa
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Björkqvist
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Häkkinen
authors.forename: Arvi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yli-Hankala
authors.forename: Esa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leinonen
mesh_terms: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D000762:Anesthesia Recovery Period; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D061218:Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007649:Ketamine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015742:Propofol; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000759:Adjuvants, Anesthesia; D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D007649:Ketamine; D015742:Propofol