Hexafluorodiethyl Ether (Indoklon) Convulsive Therapy: A Pilot Study
D. R. GANDER M.B., M.R.C.P., D.P.M.1,
P. J. BENNETT B.Sc., F.F.A.R.C.S.2, and
D. H. W. KELLY M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.M.3
1 Consultant Psychiatrist, Queen Elizabeth II Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
2 Registrar, Department of Anaesthetics, St. Thomas's Hospital, London, S.E.1
3 Chief Assistant, Department of Psychological Medicine, St. Thomas's Hospital, London, S.E.1
Hexafluorodiethyl ether (Indoklon) by inhalation was used to produce therapeutic convulsions and treatment alternated with E.C.T. It was found that, using 0.5 ml. of Indoklon, convulsions of manageable proportions could be produced regularly and with effects on the E.C.G., blood pressure and heart rate which were comparable with E.C.T. The clinical improvement was similar, but there was a higher incidence of side-effects after this dose of Indoklon. With a higher dosage of Indoklon, the side-effects were even more frequent and often severe and the clinical improvement was less. It is concluded that Indoklon is a satisfactory method of inducing therapeutic convulsions, but because it is more cumbersome and attended by more frequent side-effects it is unlikely to become a real alternative to E.C.T.
Submitted on December 15, 1966
