Adding a Low Dose of Fentanyl to Propofol in Patients
Receiving Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Randomized
Controlled Trial
Varinee Lekprasert MD¹, Piriya Pisessith MD¹, Pichai Ittasakul MD²
Affiliation : ¹ Department of Anesthesiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand ² Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Objective: To evaluate the effects of low-dose fentanyl combined with a reduced dose of propofol on seizure duration and hemodynamic response
during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with the American Society of Anesthesiologist Physical Status II to III undergoing ECT were enrolled in the present study. One hundred and five bilateral ECT sessions randomized to receive thiopental 2 mg/kg, propofol 1 mg/kg, and fentanyl 0.3 mcg/kg, followed by propofol 0.5 mg/kg. Succinylcholine 0.5 mg/kg was used for muscle paralysis. Seizure duration, awakening time and hemodynamic changes were compared between groups.
Results: One hundred and five bilateral ECT treatments were randomized into thiopental group (n=35), propofol group (n=35), and fentanyl plus propofol group (n=35). The thiopental and fentanyl plus propofol groups had longer EEG and motor seizure durations than the propofol group, but the differences were not statistically significant. There was no difference in stimulus intensity across groups. However, fentanyl plus propofol group had statistically significant prolonged awakening time compare with thiopental group [mean difference 2.71, (95% CI 0.37 to 5.06, p=0.019)] and propofol group (mean difference 2.77, 95% CI 0.42 to 5.12, p=0.016). Only systolic blood pressure in propofol group was significantly lower than thiopental group [mean difference –10.4, (95% CI –19.4 to –1.38, p=0.018)]. There were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (df=2, F=2.546, p=0.083), heart rate (df=2, F=0.596, p=0.553), or oxygen saturation across group (df=2, F=2.914, p=0.059).
Conclusion: Using a combination of low-dose fentanyl and low-dose propofol during ECT could be beneficial. Further investigation is needed to establish the optimal dose of propofol and fentanyl.
Received 23 June 2021 | Revised 22 September 2021 | Accepted 23 September 2021
doi.org/10.35755/jmedassocthai.2021.10.13120
Keywords :
Electroconvulsive therapy; Fentanyl, Hemodynamic response; Propofol; Thiopental; Seizure duration
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