Electroconvulsive therapy and serum potassium

In 54 patients presenting for electroconvulsive therapy, the concentration of serum potassium was measured before and after the induced convulsion modified with a standard anaesthetic technique of methohexitone and suxamethonium. It was found that there was a statistically significant rise in serum...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ulster medical journal 1989-10, Vol.58 (2), p.172-174
Main Authors: McCleane, G J, Howe, J P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Humans
Methohexital - pharmacology
Potassium - blood
Succinylcholine - pharmacology
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Summary:In 54 patients presenting for electroconvulsive therapy, the concentration of serum potassium was measured before and after the induced convulsion modified with a standard anaesthetic technique of methohexitone and suxamethonium. It was found that there was a statistically significant rise in serum potassium, but that the duration of convulsion had no significant effect on that rise in serum potassium. In a further 11 patients, methohexitone alone was administered without ECT, and it was found that serum potassium fell. Methohexitone, suxamethonium and ECT in combination cause a rise in serum potassium which is not clinically important unless pre-induction level is abnormally high, and prolonged convulsion does not exaggerate this rise.
ISSN:0041-6193