The Effects of Atropine and Aminophylline Premedication on Respiratory Problems After Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Prospective, Randomized, Crossover Trial

ABSTRACTObjective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe treatment for psychiatric disorders. As shown after epileptic seizure, mild to moderate respiratory problems could be observed after ECT. We investigated the effects of atropine and aminophylline premedication on respiratory problems that occur after ECT under general anesthesia.Methods: The present study is a randomized, double-blind, crossover trial. All patients had more than three ECT sessions, during the first three of which the patients entered the study either non-premedicated as part of the Control Group, premedicated with atropine (0.01 mg/kg−1) in the Atropine Group, or premedicated with aminophylline (120 mg) in the Aminophylline Group. During anesthesia induction, propofol and succinylcholine were administered. After adequate anesthesia, ECT was performed. The respiratory sounds of patients were auscultated before and after ECT. The demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, hemodynamic data, seizure duration, spontaneous respiration time,...