What is ultra brief pulse ECT?
Ultrabrief pulse stimulation is a new advance in electroconvulsive therapy and results in more focal stimulation. An ultrabrief pulse given in the right unilateral position retains the high efficacy of standard electroconvulsive therapy for depression. Cognitive adverse effects are greatly reduced.
What is the most common side effect of ECT?
Physical side effects. On the days of an ECT treatment, some people experience nausea, headache, jaw pain or muscle ache. These generally can be treated with medications.
How many ECT treatments is too many?
HOW MANY TIMES WILL I NEED TO BE TREATED? People undergoing ECT need multiple treatments. The number needed to successfully treat severe depression can range from 4 to 20, but most people need a total of 6 to 12 treatments.
What does electroconvulsive therapy feel like?
When you awaken, you may experience a period of disorientation lasting from a few minutes to several hours. Headaches, jaw pain, and muscle soreness may occur. ECT requires a series of treatments, often initiated two to three times a week for a few weeks and then the frequency is tapered down.
Where are electrodes placed for ECT?
In bilateral ECT, one electrode is placed on the left side of the head, the other on the right side. In unilateral ECT, one electrode is placed at the top (vertex) of the head and the other typically on the right side.
What is pulse width ECT?
Thus brief pulse widths (typically 1.0 ms) are now standard in modern clinical ECT practice. Neurophysiological observations indicate, however, that the ideal pulse width for neuronal stimulation is in the order of 0.1–0.2 ms.
What medications should be stopped before ECT?
There are reports of certain complementary medications such as ginkgo biloba, ginseng, St John’s wort, valerian and kava kava interfering with ECT. 35 Given the lack of evidence of efficacy of these medications, it is advisable to cease these supplements prior to commencement of ECT as the risks outweigh the benefits.
Do they shave your head for ECT?
During surgery prep, you’ll have your head shaved. You may be kept unconscious throughout brain surgery with general anesthesia or stay awake with a local anesthetic used on your scalp. A sturdy frame will hold your head to prevent movement during surgery.
What medication is given before ECT?
The ideal induction agent for ECT is an agent with low anticonvulsant properties, rapid onset of action, short duration of action with a good safety and tolerability profile. The most commonly used agents for induction are propofol, thiopental, methohexital, etomidate, ketamine, alfentanil and remifentanil.
How will you prepare a patient for ECT?
What happens during an ECT procedure? Before ECT, patients are asked not to eat or drink from midnight the night before treatment. During the procedure, the patient receives a short acting anesthetic agent which puts the patient to sleep for approximately 5-10 minutes.
What should you not do before ECT?
What anesthesia is given for ECT?
The anesthetic management for ECT typically involves the use of an induction dose of an IV anesthetic (e.g., methohexital or propofol) followed by a muscle relaxant (e.g., succinylcholine or mivacurium).
Can ECT make things worse?
ECT may have a role in people who have comorbid depression and anxiety. The concern of some psychiatrists is that while ECT may help with depressive symptoms, it could worsen anxiety symptoms, including obsessional thoughts or panic attacks.
What should I avoid before ECT?
Before ECT, patients are asked not to eat or drink from midnight the night before treatment. During the procedure, the patient receives a short acting anesthetic agent which puts the patient to sleep for approximately 5-10 minutes.