Evaluation of the Efficacy of Electroconvulsive Therapy in Relation to the Anesthetic Agent Applied: A Retrospective Analysis.

A retrospective analysis of medical records from March 2023 to July 2024 examined 149 patients (mean age 41.72 years, 54.4% female) who received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). At least one side effect occurred in 23 patients. The number of effective ECT sessions was statistically significantly higher in patients given ketamine alone compared to those given propofol, propofol to ketamine, or a propofol-ketamine combination. No significant relationship was found between anesthetic type and side effects. The combination of ketamine and propofol may be safer regarding side effects and cognitive functions than either alone, and ketamine alone may be a viable alternative when seizures are ineffective.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The present study aims to make a contribution to the extant literature on the sharing of clinical experiences with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and the effects of different anesthetic drugs on ECT efficacy. A retrospective analysis of the medical records of patients who were administered ECT from March 2023 to July 2024 was conducted to obtain data on age, gender, psychiatric diagnosis, type of psychiatric drugs used, the effectiveness of ECT, type of anesthetic agent administered during ECT, and the side effects after ECT. A total of 149 patients were included in the study, of whom 81 (54.4%) were female and 68 (45.6%) were male, with a mean age of 41.72 years (±15.68). At least 1 side effect related to ECT was reported in 23 patients. When the number of effective sessions was analyzed according to the anesthetic agent used, the number of effective sessions of ECT was statistically significantly higher in patients who received ketamine alone than in patients who received propofol, propofol to ketamine, and propofol ketamine combination (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.011, respectively). No significant relationship was found between the type of anesthetic agent and side effects (P = 0.059). The combination of ketamine and propofol may be regarded as a safer option in terms of side effects and cognitive functions when compared with their use in isolation. Furthermore, the utilization of ketamine as an anesthetic agent in patients exhibiting ineffective seizures can be regarded as a viable alternative strategy.