PRACTICAL GUIDELINES OF ANAESTHESIA E . C . T

Psychiatric conditions were treated by induced seizures in earlier times. Pigs were given shock before being butchered to put them in anesthetized sate. In 1940 ECT was given in unmodified form without muscle relaxants. The use of muscle relaxants to modify the convulsions is modified ECT. Complications of unmodified ECT, Fracture and dislocat ion of long bones. MECHANISM OF ACTION: Aim of ECT is to induce a therapeutic Clonic seizure lasting for at least 15 seconds. The exact mechanism of action is elusive. ECT may “J ump start” the brain helping boost the neuro transmission