Ethan O. Bryson, MD

The authors review the clinical use of ketamine as the anesthetic induction agent in ECT and discuss the evidence that it augments antidepressant response and reduces cognitive adverse effects.

Here we discuss how advancements in anesthesia techniques and ECT procedures make ECT more comfortable and tolerable for patients.

Simple, standardized protocols ensure that ECT can be provided safely and comfortably in many facilities, with consistent anti-depressant results and a favorable adverse-effect profile.