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Updated: May 28, 2026

Pupillary Response as Assessment of Effective Seizure Induction by Electroconvulsive Therapy
Published on: April 11, 2019
Effects of enflurane and propofol on seizure duration and recovery profiles in electroconvulsive therapy
Zafer Dogan1, Fatma Ozlem Orhan, Hafize Oksuz
1Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Medical School, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. drzdogan@yahoo.com
Unlabelled:
The aim of this study is to investigate effect of enflurane that is a pro-convulsive anesthetic agent and propofol on seizure durations and recovery times during electroconvulsive therapy.
Methods:
The subjects were divided into two groups according to the induction anesthetics. Anesthesia was induced with enflurane 5% in group E or propofol 1.2 mg x kg(-1) in group P. After the loss of consciousness, 0.5 mg x kg(-1) of succinylcholine was given. The patients maintained normocapnia.
Results:
There were no significant differences between groups regarding seizure times. Recovery times were shorter in group E, but postictal agitation was significantly lower in propofol group.
Discussion:
High incidence of spike activity on EEG and grand mal seizure patterns could be induced by enflurane. But motor and EEG seizure times were not prolonged by enflurane in the presence normocapnia. In conclusion, propofol is more suitable anesthetic agent for ECT, but enflurane might be preferred in patients because of rapid recovery.
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