Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Anesthetic considerations for electroconvulsive therapy.

G Y Gaines1, D I Rees

  • 1Department of Clinical Anesthesiology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas.

Southern Medical Journal
|May 1, 1992
PubMed
Summary

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) uses electrically induced seizures to treat psychiatric conditions. Careful anesthetic management is crucial to mitigate significant cardiovascular and cerebrovascular physiological effects during treatment.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Treatment of the modal patient: does one size fit nearly all?

The journal of ECT·2001
Same author

Comparative effects of lidocaine, esmolol, and nitroglycerin in modifying the hemodynamic response to laryngoscopy and intubation.

Journal of clinical anesthesia·1995
Same author

Effect of oral clonidine and intrathecal fentanyl on tetracaine spinal block.

Anesthesia and analgesia·1994
Same author

Electroconvulsive therapy and anesthetic considerations.

Anesthesia and analgesia·1986
Same author

Ketamine-atracurium by continuous infusion as the sole anesthetic for pulmonary surgery.

Anesthesia and analgesia·1986
Same author

Anesthetic considerations for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Texas medicine·1985

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychiatry
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • Electrically induced seizures, known as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), have been a psychiatric treatment since 1938.
  • While seizure activity is therapeutic, it causes significant physiological consequences.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detail the physiological effects of ECT, focusing on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular responses.
  • To outline essential anesthetic considerations and management strategies for ECT procedures.

Main Methods:

  • Review of physiological responses during ECT, including autonomic nervous system, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular changes.
  • Discussion of anesthetic agents (methohexital, succinylcholine) and monitoring requirements (BP, ECG, pulse oximetry).
  • Consideration of pharmacologic interventions (nitroglycerin, propranolol) to manage adverse effects.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • ECT triggers generalized autonomic stimulation, leading to potential bradycardia/asystole followed by tachycardia, dysrhythmia, and hypertension.
  • Cerebrovascular system responds with increased cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure.
  • Anesthesia and muscle relaxation are standard, with specific agents and monitoring vital for patient safety.

Conclusions:

  • ECT requires specialized settings equipped for patient support and complication management.
  • Anesthetic management must consider drug interactions, seizure activity, and physiological effects of ECT.
  • Proactive management of cardiovascular responses is essential for safe and effective ECT administration.