Premedication with dexmedetomidine for prevention of hyperdynamic response after electroconvulsive therapy: a cross-over, randomized controlled trial.

Background: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective therapy for psychiatric disorders, but is associated with acute hyperdynamic responses including transient hypertension and tachycardia. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of premedication with dexmedetomidine for hemodynamic attenuation after ECT and to evaluate its effects on seizure duration, postictal asystole duration, post ECT agitation and recovery time.

Methods: Twenty-four psychiatric patients who underwent a total of 72 ECT sessions (three sessions per patient) were randomly allocated to receive either dexmedetomidine 0.