A COMPARISON OF PROPANIDID AND THIOPENTONE AS INDUCTION AGENTS FOR ELECTRO-CONVULSIVE THERAPY

Summary: In a controlled trial it has been shown that propanidid and thiopentone are equally useful anaesthetics for electro-convulsive therapy. Psychological tests were used successfully to detect differential effects of equipotent doses of anaesthetics in the presence of E.C.T. Results showed complication rates to be similar, a notable absence of suxamethonium pains, an increase in apnoeic periods, a decrease in waking and talking times, and a marginal improvement of psychological performances following administration of propanidid. Pre-convulsion performances of the Porteus-type maze were improved following both anaesthetics. © 1969 John Sherratt and Son Ltd.