Evaluation of the effect of dexmedetomidine on the acute hyperdynamic responses, duration of seizure activity and recovery times in patients undergoing ECT

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may cause severe hemodynamic changes which carry the potential risks. We designed a study to evaluate the effects of Dexmedetomidine on hemodynamics in ECT.
Material and This prospective randomized double-blind study was designed to evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the acute hyperdynamic responses, duration of seizure activity and recovery times in patients undergoing ECT. Sixty three patients divided in to four groups; for induction of anesthesia, one group received etomidate-dexmedetomidine, the other group etomidate-placebo, another group propofol-dexmedetomidine and the last group propofol-placebo. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured just before ECT and at the 1PstP, 3PrdP, 5PthP and 10PthP minute afterward. Duration of convulsion and recovery time were also recorded.
systolic blood pressure at 3rd minute and 10th minute was lower in propofol-dex group comparing propofol-placebo and etomidate-dex comparing etomidate-placebo, respectively which was statistically meaningful. Recovery time was longer in etomidate-dex comparing etomidate-placebo, which was statistically meaningful.
dexmedetomidine prescription could prevent blood pressure rise in ECT