title: Treatment of post-electroconvulsive therapy agitation with dexmedetomidine.
abstract: Post-electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) delirium is commonly encountered in practice, occurring in up to 12% of treatments. Although often easily managed nonpharmacologically, more severe or persistent cases are generally treated with benzodiazepines or propofol. We describe a patient who failed to respond adequately to these medications but responded quite favorably to dexmedetomidine, a centrally acting α2 agonist. There is evidence that dexmedetomidine may have unique, "delirium-sparing" properties; this makes it an attractive option for this indication.
authors.affiliation: Nova Southeastern University College of Pharmacy, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Jonathan T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Stewart
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D020927:Dexmedetomidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D020927:Dexmedetomidine; D008874:Midazolam; D015742:Propofol