Atropine and glycopyrrolate as ECT preanesthesia

Twenty-four patients receiving ECT were systematically studied to compare the effects of two dosages of atropine and two dosages of glycopyrrolate as preanesthetic agents. Glycopyrrolate resulted in more cardiac arrhythmias, nausea and vomiting, and episodes of bradycardia than atropine (p = .4). More patients receiving atropine showed post-ECT confusion, but the clinical impact of this was minimal. Atropine appears to be preferable to glycopyrrolate for use in ECT preanesthesia.