A comparison of dexmedetomidine with propofol versus esmolol with propofol to attenuate the hemodynamic stress responses after electroconvulsive therapy.

BACKGROUND: Modified electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) under anesthesia is an important modality in the treatment of severe, persistent depression; bipolar disorder and schizophrenia; especially in cases resistant to pharmacologic therapy.

AIM: The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of dexmedetomidine and esmolol on patients' hemodynamics, motor seizure duration, and recovery times following ECT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety cases aged between 18 and 50 years of the American Society of Anesthesiologists grade I and II; were randomly divided into three groups of 30 each. Group A received normal saline (placebo), Group B received dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg, and Group C received esmolol 1 mg/kg; followed by induction with propofol 1 mg/kg and muscle relaxation with succinylcholine 0.75 mg/kg. Hemodynamic parameters at baseline, after study drug infusion, after induction, and after ECT application were recorded at different time intervals. The motor seizure duration using arm isolation method and recovery times using postanesthesia discharge scoring system were noted.

RESULTS: The maximum increase in hemodynamic parameters was seen following the ECT current application. Post-ECT rise in mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in dexmedetomidine group was significantly less as compared to esmolol and control group at 2, 4, 6, and 8 min using unpaired t -test. There was no significant difference in motor seizure activity duration, emergence, and recovery times among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Both dexmedetomidine and esmolol attenuate the hyperdynamic response to ECT without affecting the seizure duration, but dexmedetomidine has a more favorable response in view of stable vitals, smooth emergence and no adverse effect on recovery duration.