Preventive effect of dexmedetomidine on postictal delirium after electroconvulsive therapy: A randomised controlled study

BACKGROUND Postictal delirium (PID) is a relatively common complication following electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). OBJECTIVE We investigated whether prophylactic dexmedetomidine administration would safely decrease the incidence of PID in psychiatric patients after ECT. DESIGN A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. PATIENTS A total of 223 patients undergoing ECT were randomly allocated to two groups. INTERVENTIONS Patients received 0.5 μg kg−1 dexmedetomidine (Dex group, n=111) or 0.9% sodium chloride (Con group, n=112) before ECT. Propofol was used for anaesthesia and succinylcholine for muscle relaxation. The incidence of PID was measured using the Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The percentage of patients who were diagnosed with PID at any ECT session during the whole treatment. RESULTS PID occurred in 76 (67.9%) of 112 patients given saline (0.9% sodium chloride), and in 49 (44.1%) of 111 patients given dexmedetomidine during the whole treatment. There was a significant difference in the incidence of PID between two groups (P 
Source: European Journal of Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Perioperative medicine Source Type: research