Propofol/Ketamine vs Thiomebumal Anesthesia for ECT Treatment: A Before-and-After Register Study

Professor
Thomas Strøm
Bedøvelse og intensiv Sygehus Sønderjylland

Projekt styring

Projekt status	Open



Data indsamlingsdatoer
Start	01.08.2024
Slut	31.08.2025

Projektet i tal

OPEN undersøgelse/kliniske data
Forventet # af deltagere	200
Inkluderet antal deltagere	225





Inkluderede deltagere med prøver
Prøver

Propofol/Ketamine vs Thiomebumal Anesthesia for ECT Treatment: A Before-and-After Register Study

Short summary

This study compares the effects of two anesthesia methods-propofol/ketamine versus thiomebumal-during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe depression. ECT has shown remarkable effectiveness, and optimizing anesthesia is crucial for enhancing seizure quality, a key factor in its success. The study retrospectively examines medical records from patients treated with either thiomebumal or the propofol/ketamine combination, aiming to evaluate the impact on seizure duration and depression scores

Rationale

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well-established treatment for severe depression. Effective seizure induction is critical for therapeutic outcomes. Traditionally, thiomebumal is used for anesthesia, but it is known to suppress seizures. Emerging evidence suggests that using propofol combined with ketamine may reduce this suppression, leading to better seizure quality and patient recovery. This register study aims to assess whether the propofol/ketamine combination leads to superior seizure quality compared to thiomebumal alone.

Description of the cohort

The study involves adult inpatients (aged 18+) from the Psychiatric Department at Aabenraa Hospital, Sygehus Sønderjylland, who underwent a series of ECT treatments under general anesthesia. Patients were identified through procedural codes and supplemented with data from the Danish Anesthesia Database. The study examines 100 patients treated with thiomebumal (January-September 2021) and 100 treated with propofol/ketamine (January-September 2022).

Data and biological material

Data for this study were collected retrospectively from patient journals and national registries. Collected variables include demographics, medication during anesthesia, Hamilton Depression Scale scores, and seizure parameters such as Postictal Suppression Index (PSI) and Average Seizure Energy Index (ASEI). No biological samples (e.g., blood or saliva) were collected, as the study primarily focuses on retrospective clinical data.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Psykiatrisk afdeling. Sygehus Sønderjylland