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Development of Prolonged Apnoea in a Suxamethonium-Naïve Patient During Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Case Report

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Suxamethonium is commonly used as a muscle relaxant during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Prolonged apnoea associated with suxamethonium, mostly caused by pseudocholinesterase deficiency, is rare, but it can sometimes pose a great challenge in managing emergency situations due to patients' inability to breathe; occasionally, it can result in serious complications, including death. We report a case of a young male who had no prior exposure to suxamethonium and developed prolonged apnoea after induction with it. There was no record of any sensitivity or adverse reactions to any drugs for this patient or his family. ECT is a well-known treatment for many psychiatric disorders when other treatments are ineffective. This case emphasizes the need for a comprehensive pre-procedural assessment, careful consideration, and the gathering of crucial information about potential sensitivities and adverse reactions associated with medications commonly used during the ECT procedure, especially when administering these medications for the first time.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.72344

Authors: Alican Bulut, Basavaraja Papanna, Bushra Ahmed, Kapil Kulkarni, Balamurugan Ramalingam

Institution: East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Language: English

Topic: Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4403777247