Electroconvulsive therapy and intracranial aneurysm. Prevention of blood pressure elevation in a normotensive patient by hydralazine and propranolol

A 42-year-old normotensive woman developed a severe mental depression 6 months after an operation for intracranial aneurysm. The use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was judged to be of vital importance. By concurrent administration of intravenous hydralazine and propranolol before induction of anaesthesia the normally occurring ECT-induced blood pressure elevation was completely prevented, and the patient received a series of ten ECTs without complications.