Ambulatory Anesthetic Care for Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) in Psychiatric Patients. |
Jeong Rak Lee, Sun Jung Park, Jung Gil Lim, Hong Seuk Yang |
Department of Anesthesiology, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan, Seoul, Korea. hsyang@amc.seoul.kr |
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Abstract |
We experienced two cases of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) through ambulatory surgery units. In case 1 patient was a 17 year old male with depressive disorder and the case 2 patient was a 64 year old male also with depressive disorder. A trial of various antidepressants had proved ineffective. They were treated with six ECTs for each case.
The case 1 patient complained two times of myalgia suspected to be due to the adverse effects of succinylcholine administration and the case 2 patient showed tachycardia and hypertension due to sympathetic stimulation after application of the current, but the two cases were successfully cared for by ambulatory surgery unit and discharged without severe complications. Perioperative care for individuals who undergo outpatient ECT is similar to the care provided for scheduled ambulatory surgery. Successful performance of ambulatory ECT requires collaboration by psychiatrists, anesthesia care providers, skilled perioperative nurses, affected individuals, and family members. |
Key Words:
Ambulatory anesthesia; electroconvulsive therapy |
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