Combined alfentanil-methohexital anesthesia in electroconvulsive therapy.

Eight patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) were anesthetized with alfentanil, 25 mcg/kg, plus 20 mg methohexital, alternating with standard methohexital anesthesia. Combination alfentanil-methohexital anesthesia was associated with a 45% increase in EEG seizure duration. Preliminary evidence suggests that ECT anesthesia using short-acting opiate compounds may prove to be a promising alternative to standard modified ECT, especially for patients with brief seizures.