Evaluation of esmolol effect on hemodynamic indices, convulsion duration and recovery time in Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), as a treatment in psychiatric disorders has changed over the years. Nowadays, using hypnotic and muscle relaxant drugs are important part of ECT. Following ECT there are major changes in hemodynamic indices, making the cardiovascular and cerebral events as potential outcomes especially in elderly so the scientist is researching to find better ways to control hemodynamic changes with minimal effect on convulsion duration and recovery time in ECT candidates. The ideal medication is the one which controls hemodynamic indices but does not affect the convulsion and recovery time so different drugs tested. In this study we decided to evaluate the effect of Esmolol.
Methods and Materials: Forty patient’s candidate for ECT were randomly assigned into two groups of Esmolol (E) and placebo (P). Anesthetic drugs were the same in both groups, in E group patients received 100 mg of bolus intravenous esmolol and in P group they received equal volume of normal saline just before ECT. Patients were under close monitoring during and after procedure and the hemodynamic indices, convulsion time and duration of recovery recorded for each patient.
We found a meaningful difference in heart rate and blood pressure in both groups in 1PstP, 3PrdP and 5PthP minutes after ECT (P Esmolol could provide stable hemodynamic indices in ECT candidates without affecting the convulsion time and recovery duration (P>0/05).