Effect of a Course of Electroconvulsive Therapy on Interictal Bispectral Index Values

Abstract

Bispectral index values of awake individuals in resting state drop significantly through a course of bitemporal brief-pulse ECT. Anesthesiologists should be aware that a considerable proportion of patients who have received a course of ECT may have BIS values in the sedated/anesthetized range even when they are awake. The BIS may not provide accurate estimation of the depth of anesthesia during ECT after the initial ECT sessions.