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Comparison of propofol and thiopentone as anaesthetic agents for electroconvulsive therapy
Author(s) -
BOEY W. K.,
LAI F. O.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
anaesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.839
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2044
pISSN - 0003-2409
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1990.tb14383.x
Subject(s) - propofol , medicine , electroconvulsive therapy , anesthesia , clonus , heart rate , crossover study , blood pressure , sitting , epilepsy , placebo , alternative medicine , electroconvulsive shock , pathology , psychiatry
Summary Propofol and thiopentone were compared as anaesthetic agents for electroconvulsive therapy in 31 patients on four occasions in a repeated measure crossover study. Discomfort on injection was significantly more common with propofol (51.6% of anaesthetics) compared to thiopentone (1.6% of anaesthetics). The duration of seizure was shorter with propofol in both treatments but there was significant drug‐time interaction. Propofol gave a milder tonus and clonus during seizure when both treatments were considered together. The increase in systolic and diastolic arterial pressures and heart rate after treatment were significantly higher with thiopentone. Apnoea was significantly longer with propofol. The times to sitting up unaided and opening the eyes on command were the same for both drugs. The ability to walk 10 m 20 minutes after anaesthesia was significantly better with propofol (p < 0.0001).