Electroconvulsive therapy: An experience at Universitaria Teleton Clinic Terapia electroconvulsiva: experiencia en la Clínica Universitaria Teletón

Abstract

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), is a therapeutic option to treat difficult patients like those suffering from recurrent depressive disorders. Previous research has shown its effectiveness, and a low rate of adverse effects. This is a descriptive observational research using patients undergoing electroconvulsive therapy from Clínica Universitaria Teletón between 2007 and 2008. The treatment was given to 19 patients, two received 2 cycles. 134 sessions were carried out in total. 12 patients had major depressive disorder. The electrodes were put bilateral in all cases. Most treatments were administered with a frequency of three sessions per week. The average duration of the crisis was 45.39 seconds per EEG. Thiopental was used in 132 sessions (91.6%) and propofol in 7 (4,9%). Succinylcholine was used as muscle relaxant in all sessions. Adverse effects were present in 35 sessions; most of them by abundant secretions in 4 sessions and headache in 9 sessions. Standardization of procedure will allow an appropriate use of data bases in subsequent studies, making a comparison of its several forms with ECT. Using follow-up scales of clinical improvement will help to determine the effectiveness of the treatment in our population.