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Oxygen Saturation during Electroconvulsive Therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Steven R. Swindells
Affiliation:
University Department of Anaesthesia, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF
Karen H. Simpson*
Affiliation:
University Department of Anaesthesia, Clinical Sciences Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds LS9 7TF
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Oxygen saturation was measured during anaesthesia and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) using ear oximetry. Significant hypoxia occurred during some treatments; desaturation related to the number of ventilations performed after muscle relaxation and prior to the shock. Desaturation did not correlate significantly with seizure duration. These findings highlight the need for adequate oxygenation during ECT.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © 1987 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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References

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