Major Depressive Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Propofol Ketofol Electroconvulsive Therapy Anesthesia Hemodynamic Stability
Brief summary
This randomized controlled trial will compare two anesthetic agents, propofol and ketofol (a combination of propofol and ketamine), in patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Propofol is commonly used but may lower blood pressure, while ketofol may help maintain more stable cardiovascular function. The study will evaluate changes in systolic blood pressure following ECT when either propofol or ketofol is used for anesthesia induction. A total of 80 adult patients will be enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups. Findings may guide anesthesiologists in selecting the safest and most effective induction agent for ECT.
Detailed description
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for depression and other psychiatric disorders that do not respond to medications. The procedure requires short-term anesthesia. Propofol is the most commonly used drug for anesthesia during ECT because it acts quickly and allows patients to recover rapidly, but it is often linked with low blood pressure and shorter seizure duration. Ketamine, another anesthetic drug, increases blood pressure and heart rate and may prolong seizures, but it is rarely used alone because of side effects such as agitation. A newer approach is to combine both drugs, known as ketofol, to balance their effects. This study will directly compare propofol and ketofol as induction agents during ECT, with a focus on how each affects systolic blood pressure. Eighty adult patients scheduled for ECT will be randomly assigned to receive either propofol or ketofol for anesthesia. Blood pressure will be measured before and after the procedure, and additional information such as seizure duration, recovery time, and side effects will be recorded. The results will provide evidence on whether ketofol offers better hemodynamic stability than propofol alone, potentially improving safety during ECT.
Interventions
DRUGPropofol
Intravenous induction agent administered before electroconvulsive therapy. Participants in this arm will receive IV propofol 1 mg/kg as a single slow bolus immediately before ECT under continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. Premedication with glycopyrrolate 0.004 mg/kg IV will be given to all patients. Ringer's lactate infusion will begin prior to induction. After loss of eyelash reflex, ECT will be performed using bifrontotemporal electrodes. Systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen saturation will be recorded at baseline and 20 minutes after shock delivery. The patient will be ventilated with 100 % oxygen until spontaneous breathing resumes.
DRUGKetofol
Intravenous admixture prepared immediately before induction by combining equal parts of ketamine and propofol in the same syringe. Participants will receive propofol 0.5 mg/kg + ketamine 0.5 mg/kg as a slow IV bolus immediately before ECT. Continuous ECG, pulse oximetry, and non-invasive blood pressure monitoring will be maintained. Premedication and procedural steps are identical to the propofol arm. The rationale is that ketamine's sympathetic stimulation counterbalances the hypotensive effect of propofol, potentially improving hemodynamic stability during ECT. Hemodynamic variables and seizure duration will be documented at baseline, during, and 20 minutes after shock delivery. Patients will receive 100 % oxygen ventilation until spontaneous respiration resumes.
Sponsors
Fauji Foundation Hospital
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Adults aged 18-65 years Both genders ASA physical status I-II Scheduled for electroconvulsive therapy
Exclusion criteria
* History of chronic opioid therapy Pregnancy Known allergy or hypersensitivity to propofol or ketamine History of cardiovascular disease History of renal disease
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Systolic Blood Pressure 20 Minutes After Electroconvulsive Therapy | 20 minutes after seizure stimulus during the index ECT session | Systolic blood pressure (SBP) will be recorded 20 minutes after the delivery of electrical stimulus in both study groups using a non-invasive blood pressure monitor. Baseline SBP will also be recorded prior to induction. The mean SBP between propofol and ketofol groups will be compared to determine the effect of anesthetic agent on post-ECT hemodynamic stability. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Seizure Duration | Immediately following ECT | Duration of the ECT-induced seizure will be measured in seconds using EEG tracing or motor observation from the time of electrical stimulus until cessation of seizure activity. |
| Recovery Time | Up to 30 minutes after ECT | Time in minutes from the completion of ECT to spontaneous respiration and recovery of consciousness (Aldrete score ≥ 9) will be recorded to assess recovery profile. |
| Heart Rate at 20 Minutes Post-ECT | 20 minutes post-ECT | Heart rate will be measured at baseline, immediately after ECT, and 20 minutes post-shock to compare cardiovascular response between the two groups. |
| Oxygen Saturation (SpO₂) | Baseline, intra-procedure, and up to 30 minutes post-ECT | Minimum oxygen saturation will be monitored continuously using pulse oximetry and recorded to identify any desaturation episodes during and after ECT. |
| Adverse Events | Intraoperative period and recovery up to 30 minutes post-ECT | Any adverse event such as nausea, vomiting, arrhythmia, emergence agitation, or hallucination will be recorded and compared between the two study arms. |
| Incidence of Hypotension | From induction until 30 minutes post-ECT | The occurrence of hypotension (defined as a ≥20% decrease from baseline mean arterial pressure) during or after ECT will be documented and compared between groups. |
Countries
Pakistan
Outcome results
None listed