COMBINED ALFENTANIL-METHOHEXITAL ANESTHESIA IN ELECTROCONVULSIVE-THERAPY

Eight patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were anesthet ized with alfentanil, 25 mcg/kg, plus 20 mg methohexital, alternating with standard methohexital anesthesia. Combination alfentanil-methohex ital anesthesia was associated with a 45% increase in EEG seizure dura tion. preliminary evidence suggests that ECT anesthesia using short-ac ting opiate compounds may prove to be a promising alternative to stand ard modified ECT, especially for patients with brief seizures.