['Of 58 patients treated at our electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) unit early in the year 2000, 12 patients under propofol did not achieve a seizure duration of >30 s [electroencephalogram (EEG)] with a maximum stimulation charge of 504.0 mC (100%).', 'A switch from propofol to etomidate was therefore undertaken in these patients at the next treatment to achieve longer seizure duration.', 'In 11 of the 12 patients, a remarkable increase in seizure duration was recorded after the change of anesthetic. The mean seizure duration increased from 18.6 to 43.4 s and remained at that level for the following ECT session. The increase was highly significant (t11 = 3.772, p < 0.001). The mean motor seizure also changed from 11.6 to 27.5 s (t11 = 5.560, p < 0.003) and remained there for the next treatment.'] Does a switch from propofol to etomidate during an ECT course increase EEG and motor seizure duration?