Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

SlideShare a Scribd company logo
Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT)
Dr.Asma A Rehman
Consultant Psychiatrist
Overview
• Definition
• History
• Machines
• Mechanism of action
• Indications
• Technique
• Unwanted effects
• Summary
Definition
• ECT is a procedure in which electric currents are passed
through brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure.
• Formerly known as “ Electric Shock ”
• Safe for all ages, with debilitating illness, and during
pregnancy.
History
• Introduced in late 1930’s
• On basis of mistaken idea :
“ Epilepsy and Schizophrenia do not occur together”
• Induced fits should lead to improvement in Schizophrenia.
• Initially chemically fits were induced by using Camphor or Pentylenetetrazol.
• IV Camphor induced seizure in 1934 by Meduna
As procedure was painful so
Then
started on ECT
• IM pentylenetetrazol
• 1st
ECT in 1938
.
• 1940, curare was developed for use as a muscle
relaxant during ECT
• Succinylcholine, a depolarizing muscle relaxant, was
introduced in 1951
• 1975 movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” with
Jack Nicholson thrashing about, forced against his will
to endure painful, violent seizures
• In 1985, the National Institutes of Health and National
Institute of Mental Health Consensus Conference on
ECT endorsed a role for the use of ECT
ECT machines.
• Four machines currently available are recommended by
the College:
1. the Ectron Series 5A,
2. Ectonus (Electron Ltd, Letchworth),
3. Mecta SR2 and JR2 (Mecta Corp., Lake Oswego, OR)
and
4. Thymatron-DGx (Somatics Inc., Lake Bluff, IL) (
Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995).
ECT machine in LNH (ECTONUS)
Ect by dr asma
Mechanism Of Action.
• Neuro-endocrine system
• Neuro-endocrine dysregulation Is prominent in Patients
with Mental disorders for which ECT is effective.
• In severely depressed patients, Adrenal glands produce too
much Cortisol.
• The high blood levels disrupts normal diurnal rhythm of
other glandular discharges and the glands do not respond to
usual feed back mechanism.
• The most prominent features of depression are distortion of
functions regulated by Neuro-endocrine gland in self-
adjusting feed back.
• Each Seizure stimulates Hypothalamus to discharge its
hormones, which causes Pituitary gland to discharge its
products which then effects level of Cortisol.
• The first effects of this cascade are Transitory, but repeated
Seizures restore the normal interaction of HPA axis.
• Feeding & sleeping becomes normal, followed by motor
activity, mood , memory & thoughts.
• After some course of ECT, the return to normal Endocrine
functions.
• At other times, glands revert their abnormal activities, &
mental disorder becomes evident again.
• In these cases repeated stimulation of Hypothalamus &
Pituitary by continuation of ECT restore & sustain normal
glandular function & support normal mental state.
• Neuro-transmitter System.
• Almost all neurotransmitters effected by ECT.
• Down regulation of pot-synaptic beta adrenergic receptor
• Increase post-synaptic receptor & change in pre-synaptic
discharge.
Indications.
• 1) Treatment of choice :
• Severe depressive illness when associated with :
oLife threatening illness bec of refusal of food & fluids.
oHigh Suicidal risk.
• 2) Considered for:
• Severe Depressive illness associated with:
oStupor.
oMarked Psychomotor retardation.
oDepressive delusions & hallucinations.
• 3) 2nd
& 3rd
line of treatment:
• Depressive illness:
o If not responsive to anti-depressant drugs
• 4) Treatment of Mania:
• associated with:
o Life threatening physical exhaustion.
o Not responded to appropriate drug treatment.
• 5) For treatment of Acute Schizophrenia:
• as 4th
line treatment option.
o After trial of 2 anti-psychotics & Clozapine was ineffective
• 6) Catatonia.
o Where treatment with Benzodiazepine ineffective.
• Mortality Rate.
• 3-4/100,000 Treatments.
• Due to General Medical conditions or General Anesthesia
complications.
• Contraindications.
• No absolute contraindications.
• Contraindications are due to anesthesia
Technique
• Pre-treatment evaluation:
• Complete physical examination
• Dental examination
• Complete Blood Picture.
• Serum Urea/Creatinine/Electrolytes.
• Urine Tests
• Chest X-ray
• ECG
• CT-Scan.
• MRI.
• ECT Clinic:
• Pleasant safe surroundings
• Waiting area should separate from treatment room
• Emergency equipment should be present
• ETT.
• Suction.
• O2 supply.
• Resuscitation.
• Arrival of patient:
• Patient should be at ease.
• Check identity
• Check consent form.
• Check drug sheet.
• Administration of Anesthesia.
• NPO for at least 5 hours.
• I/V access maintained.
• Attach Monitor
• Give Muscle relaxant
• Anesthetic agent
• Hyperventilation with O2
• Bite Block.
• Electrode placement and electical dose.
• Managing complications.
• Shift to recovery room till patient concious and stable.
Muscrainic anti-cholinergic:
• Administered before anesthetic agent
• To minimize oral and respiratory secretions.
• Atropine 0.3-0.6 mg IM or SC 30-60 minutes before
anesthetic agent
OR
• 0.4-1.0 mg IV 2 or 3 minutes before anesthetic
• Suxamethonium Chloride 0.5-1mg/kg i/v bolus
Anesthetic agent.
• Methohexital (BREVITAL) ( most commonly used)
• 0.75-1mg/kg iv bolus
• Thiopental (PENTOTHAL) 2-3mg/kg iv bolus
Other anesthetic agents used.
Muscle relaxant.
• After onset of anesthetic effect within a minute.
• To minimize risk of bone fractures and other injuries.
• Succinylcholine 0.5-1 mg/kg iv bolus.
Application of electrodes.
• Clear skin
• Moist skin ( dry electrodes can cause skin burns/excessive moisture can cause
shortening & prevent seizure exposure.)
• Position of electrodes
• Unilateral electrode:
• On non-dominant side.
• 3cm above mid-point line between external angle of orbit & external
auditory meatus.
• Bilateral electrode:
• 2nd
electrode.
Either of two points can be used.
• i) At least 10cm away from 1st
one. Vertically above meatus of same side.
or
• ii) Electrodes are placed on opposite sides of head.
Ect by dr asma
Electical dose.
• For unilateral fixed ECT:
400 milicoloumbs
• For Bilateral ECT:
100-200 milicoloumbs.
• Seizure threshold increased in men.
• For age <40
• Starting dose: 150 milicoloumbs.
• Dose might be increased if seizure was short or
absent.
Ect by dr asma
Signs of seizure.
1st
• Muscle of face begin to twitch & mouth drops open.
Then.
• Upper eyelids, thumbs & big toe jerks rhythmically for
1½ minute.
• Seizure duration: 20-50seconds.
Monitoring by EEG
• Many modern ECT machines now include EEG
monitoring, which helps to prevent unwarranted re-
stimulation, as well as to detect prolonged seizures. 
Ect by dr asma
Concomitant medications.
• Anti-depressant & anti-psychotics decrease seizure threshold.
• Benzodiazepine should be withdrawn because of anti-
convulsant effect.
• Valproate & lamotrigine increase threshold.
• Clozapine and Bupropion should be withdrawn because
associated with late appearing seizures.
• Cognitive impairment when ECT given with Lithium.
• SSRIs prolong seizure duration.
• Lidocaine should not be administred as increase seizure
threshold.
• Theophylline contraindicated as increases seizure duration.
• Reserpine also contraindicated as compromise respiratory and
CVS during ECT
Complications.
• Prolonged and tardive seizure.
• Duration > 180 seconds.(APA guidelines)
• > 120 seconds ( Royal College’s revised guidelines)
• Status epilepticus.
• Give i/v diazepam 5-10mg immediately.
• Failed stimulation.
• If no seizure occurred
 Check machine.
 Check electrodes.
 Check contact with skin.
• Charge can be increased by 50% & further stimulus can be given.
• Additional procedure to lower seizure threshold include Hyperventilation
and
• administration of 500-2000 mg iv of Caffeine Sodium Benzoate 5-10
minutes before stimulus.
Unwanted effects
• Brief Retrograde Amnesia:
loss of memory up-to 30 minutes after ECT.
• Brief disorientation.
• Headache
• Muscle pain esp. jaws.
• Occasional damage to teeth, tongue or lips.
• Small electical burns (due to poor application of electrodes)
These unwanted effects are rare if good anesthetic technique
used.
Other rare complications occur due to co morbid physical
illness.
Memory disorder after ECT
Short-Term effects Long-Term effects
Retrograde
Amnesia
Anterograde
Amnesia
Loss of
memory for
personnel and
impersonal
remote
events.
Dec ability to
learn new
information.
Frequency and number of treatments
• Can be given Twice a week.
• In general.
3 times/week given.
• Course of ECT includes 6-12 treatments.
• Little response until 2-3 treatments.
• If no response after 6-8 treatments , course should be abandoned.
• Prevention of relapse:-
• In depression high relapse rate until continuation therapy
with anti-depressants.
• Maintenance ECT
• At reduced frequency.
• Fortnightly or monthly.
Thank you
•Hope it was not an
ELECTRIC SHOCK for
YOU

More Related Content

Ect by dr asma

  • 1. Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) Dr.Asma A Rehman Consultant Psychiatrist
  • 2. Overview • Definition • History • Machines • Mechanism of action • Indications • Technique • Unwanted effects • Summary
  • 3. Definition • ECT is a procedure in which electric currents are passed through brain, intentionally triggering a brief seizure. • Formerly known as “ Electric Shock ” • Safe for all ages, with debilitating illness, and during pregnancy.
  • 4. History • Introduced in late 1930’s • On basis of mistaken idea : “ Epilepsy and Schizophrenia do not occur together” • Induced fits should lead to improvement in Schizophrenia. • Initially chemically fits were induced by using Camphor or Pentylenetetrazol. • IV Camphor induced seizure in 1934 by Meduna As procedure was painful so Then started on ECT • IM pentylenetetrazol • 1st ECT in 1938 .
  • 5. • 1940, curare was developed for use as a muscle relaxant during ECT • Succinylcholine, a depolarizing muscle relaxant, was introduced in 1951 • 1975 movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest,” with Jack Nicholson thrashing about, forced against his will to endure painful, violent seizures • In 1985, the National Institutes of Health and National Institute of Mental Health Consensus Conference on ECT endorsed a role for the use of ECT
  • 6. ECT machines. • Four machines currently available are recommended by the College: 1. the Ectron Series 5A, 2. Ectonus (Electron Ltd, Letchworth), 3. Mecta SR2 and JR2 (Mecta Corp., Lake Oswego, OR) and 4. Thymatron-DGx (Somatics Inc., Lake Bluff, IL) ( Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1995).
  • 7. ECT machine in LNH (ECTONUS)
  • 9. Mechanism Of Action. • Neuro-endocrine system • Neuro-endocrine dysregulation Is prominent in Patients with Mental disorders for which ECT is effective. • In severely depressed patients, Adrenal glands produce too much Cortisol. • The high blood levels disrupts normal diurnal rhythm of other glandular discharges and the glands do not respond to usual feed back mechanism.
  • 10. • The most prominent features of depression are distortion of functions regulated by Neuro-endocrine gland in self- adjusting feed back. • Each Seizure stimulates Hypothalamus to discharge its hormones, which causes Pituitary gland to discharge its products which then effects level of Cortisol. • The first effects of this cascade are Transitory, but repeated Seizures restore the normal interaction of HPA axis. • Feeding & sleeping becomes normal, followed by motor activity, mood , memory & thoughts.
  • 11. • After some course of ECT, the return to normal Endocrine functions. • At other times, glands revert their abnormal activities, & mental disorder becomes evident again. • In these cases repeated stimulation of Hypothalamus & Pituitary by continuation of ECT restore & sustain normal glandular function & support normal mental state.
  • 12. • Neuro-transmitter System. • Almost all neurotransmitters effected by ECT. • Down regulation of pot-synaptic beta adrenergic receptor • Increase post-synaptic receptor & change in pre-synaptic discharge.
  • 13. Indications. • 1) Treatment of choice : • Severe depressive illness when associated with : oLife threatening illness bec of refusal of food & fluids. oHigh Suicidal risk. • 2) Considered for: • Severe Depressive illness associated with: oStupor. oMarked Psychomotor retardation. oDepressive delusions & hallucinations.
  • 14. • 3) 2nd & 3rd line of treatment: • Depressive illness: o If not responsive to anti-depressant drugs • 4) Treatment of Mania: • associated with: o Life threatening physical exhaustion. o Not responded to appropriate drug treatment. • 5) For treatment of Acute Schizophrenia: • as 4th line treatment option. o After trial of 2 anti-psychotics & Clozapine was ineffective • 6) Catatonia. o Where treatment with Benzodiazepine ineffective.
  • 15. • Mortality Rate. • 3-4/100,000 Treatments. • Due to General Medical conditions or General Anesthesia complications. • Contraindications. • No absolute contraindications. • Contraindications are due to anesthesia
  • 16. Technique • Pre-treatment evaluation: • Complete physical examination • Dental examination • Complete Blood Picture. • Serum Urea/Creatinine/Electrolytes. • Urine Tests • Chest X-ray • ECG • CT-Scan. • MRI. • ECT Clinic: • Pleasant safe surroundings • Waiting area should separate from treatment room • Emergency equipment should be present • ETT. • Suction. • O2 supply. • Resuscitation.
  • 17. • Arrival of patient: • Patient should be at ease. • Check identity • Check consent form. • Check drug sheet. • Administration of Anesthesia. • NPO for at least 5 hours. • I/V access maintained. • Attach Monitor • Give Muscle relaxant • Anesthetic agent • Hyperventilation with O2 • Bite Block. • Electrode placement and electical dose. • Managing complications. • Shift to recovery room till patient concious and stable.
  • 18. Muscrainic anti-cholinergic: • Administered before anesthetic agent • To minimize oral and respiratory secretions. • Atropine 0.3-0.6 mg IM or SC 30-60 minutes before anesthetic agent OR • 0.4-1.0 mg IV 2 or 3 minutes before anesthetic • Suxamethonium Chloride 0.5-1mg/kg i/v bolus
  • 19. Anesthetic agent. • Methohexital (BREVITAL) ( most commonly used) • 0.75-1mg/kg iv bolus • Thiopental (PENTOTHAL) 2-3mg/kg iv bolus
  • 21. Muscle relaxant. • After onset of anesthetic effect within a minute. • To minimize risk of bone fractures and other injuries. • Succinylcholine 0.5-1 mg/kg iv bolus.
  • 22. Application of electrodes. • Clear skin • Moist skin ( dry electrodes can cause skin burns/excessive moisture can cause shortening & prevent seizure exposure.) • Position of electrodes • Unilateral electrode: • On non-dominant side. • 3cm above mid-point line between external angle of orbit & external auditory meatus. • Bilateral electrode: • 2nd electrode. Either of two points can be used. • i) At least 10cm away from 1st one. Vertically above meatus of same side. or • ii) Electrodes are placed on opposite sides of head.
  • 24. Electical dose. • For unilateral fixed ECT: 400 milicoloumbs • For Bilateral ECT: 100-200 milicoloumbs. • Seizure threshold increased in men. • For age <40 • Starting dose: 150 milicoloumbs. • Dose might be increased if seizure was short or absent.
  • 26. Signs of seizure. 1st • Muscle of face begin to twitch & mouth drops open. Then. • Upper eyelids, thumbs & big toe jerks rhythmically for 1½ minute. • Seizure duration: 20-50seconds.
  • 27. Monitoring by EEG • Many modern ECT machines now include EEG monitoring, which helps to prevent unwarranted re- stimulation, as well as to detect prolonged seizures. 
  • 29. Concomitant medications. • Anti-depressant & anti-psychotics decrease seizure threshold. • Benzodiazepine should be withdrawn because of anti- convulsant effect. • Valproate & lamotrigine increase threshold. • Clozapine and Bupropion should be withdrawn because associated with late appearing seizures. • Cognitive impairment when ECT given with Lithium. • SSRIs prolong seizure duration. • Lidocaine should not be administred as increase seizure threshold. • Theophylline contraindicated as increases seizure duration. • Reserpine also contraindicated as compromise respiratory and CVS during ECT
  • 30. Complications. • Prolonged and tardive seizure. • Duration > 180 seconds.(APA guidelines) • > 120 seconds ( Royal College’s revised guidelines) • Status epilepticus. • Give i/v diazepam 5-10mg immediately. • Failed stimulation. • If no seizure occurred  Check machine.  Check electrodes.  Check contact with skin. • Charge can be increased by 50% & further stimulus can be given. • Additional procedure to lower seizure threshold include Hyperventilation and • administration of 500-2000 mg iv of Caffeine Sodium Benzoate 5-10 minutes before stimulus.
  • 31. Unwanted effects • Brief Retrograde Amnesia: loss of memory up-to 30 minutes after ECT. • Brief disorientation. • Headache • Muscle pain esp. jaws. • Occasional damage to teeth, tongue or lips. • Small electical burns (due to poor application of electrodes) These unwanted effects are rare if good anesthetic technique used. Other rare complications occur due to co morbid physical illness.
  • 32. Memory disorder after ECT Short-Term effects Long-Term effects Retrograde Amnesia Anterograde Amnesia Loss of memory for personnel and impersonal remote events. Dec ability to learn new information.
  • 33. Frequency and number of treatments • Can be given Twice a week. • In general. 3 times/week given. • Course of ECT includes 6-12 treatments. • Little response until 2-3 treatments. • If no response after 6-8 treatments , course should be abandoned. • Prevention of relapse:- • In depression high relapse rate until continuation therapy with anti-depressants. • Maintenance ECT • At reduced frequency. • Fortnightly or monthly.
  • 34. Thank you •Hope it was not an ELECTRIC SHOCK for YOU

Editor's Notes

  1. Thyroid, Adrenal, Sex glands &amp; Hypothalamic dysfunction are common in patients in patients with disorders in mood, thought, motor act, feeding, sleep, sex, growth &amp; maturation.
  2. The most prominent features of depression are failure to eat, loss of weight, inability to sleep, loss of interest in sex, inability to concentrate thoughts &amp; difficulties in memory are distortion of functions