Effect of etomidate versus thiopental on major depressive disorder in
electroconvulsive therapy, a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.
Author(s): Abdollahi MH, Izadi A, Hajiesmaeili MR, Ghanizadeh A, Dastjerdi G, Hosseini HA,
Ghiamat MM, Abbasi HR.
Affiliation(s): Anesthesiology Department, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and
Health Services, Yazd, Iran.
Publication date & source: 2012, J ECT. , 28(1):10-3
BACKGROUND: Although the therapeutic effect of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on
major depressive disorder is widely investigated, there is a gap in literature
regarding the possible effects of the medications used for induction of
anesthesia in ECT. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first
randomized double-blind clinical trial comparing the effect of etomidate and
sodium thiopental on the depression symptoms in patients who have received ECT.
METHODS: The participants of this study are 60 adult patients with major
depressive disorder who were referred for ECT. They were randomly allocated into
1 of the 2 groups. One group received etomidate, and the other group received
sodium thiopental, as medication for induction of anesthesia. All the patients
received bilateral ECT. The outcomes measures included the Beck Depression
Inventory score, seizure duration, and recovery duration after induction of
anesthesia.
RESULTS: The sex ratio and mean age were not different between the 2 groups.
Linear regression analysis showed that etomidate decreased the depression score
more than did sodium thiopental. Seizure duration in all of the sessions in the
etomidate group was significantly higher than that of sodium thiopental group.
CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, etomidate may improve major depressive disorder more
than sodium thiopental in patients who are receiving ECT.
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