Propofol and thiopental as anesthetic agents in electroconvulsive therapy: a retrospective study in major depression

Abstract

Objective: To determine the influence of propofol and thiopental as anesthetics in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), as regards, seizure duration, electrical charge, clinical efficacy, cardiovascular profile, and presence of adverse cognitive effects.

Methods: A retrospective design including 127 patients who received bilateral ECT for the treatment of a major depressive episode.

Results: The mean seizure duration in the propofol group was significantly shorter than in the thiopental group (21.23±6.09 versus 28.24±6.6 7s, P<.001). The mean stimulus charge was 348.22 mC in the propofol group, and 238 mC in the thiopental group (P<.001). Propofol was associated with a lower increase in blood pressure. There were no differences between groups in treatment response or presence of adverse effects.

Conclusions: The anesthetic agent used in ECT might determine differences in parameters such as seizure duration or electrical charge. However, this does not seem to be translated into differences in clinical efficacy or the pattern of adverse effects observed.

Keywords: Electroconvulsive therapy; Major depression; Pentotal; Propofol; Terapia electroconvulsiva; Thiopental; Trastorno depresivo mayor.