Early responses to electroconvulsive therapy

Cardiovascular and hormonal responses to electroconvulsive therapy

A 74-year-old woman with severe depression was scheduled for a course of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). The patient had mild to moderate hypertension (arterial blood pressure in the 140/9&170/ 100 mmHg range), and was taking chlorthalidone 50 mg daily and oral potassium supplements. Although there was no indication of ischaemic heart disease, carotid and femoral artery bruits indicated that s...

Patient attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy

AIMS AND METHODS To investigate patients’ subjective attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) a questionnaire was posted to 89 consecutive patients who had received treatment in an ECT department. RESULTS Fifty-one responses were obtained (57%). Results indicated a high satisfaction with the department and the treatment itself; 44 respondents would or might have ECTagain and 35 reported at ...

Patient attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy

AIMS AND METHODS To investigate patients’ subjective attitudes to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) a questionnaire was posted to 89 consecutive patients who had received treatment in an ECT department. RESULTS Fifty-one responses were obtained (57%). Results indicated a high satisfaction with the department and the treatment itself; 44 respondents would or might have ECTagain and 35 reported at ...

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Anaesthetic Management in Electroconvulsive Therapy During Early Pregnancy.

The management of major psychiatric conditions during pregnancy is exceptionally difficult. Pharmacoresistant, life-threatening and severe symptoms such as catatonia and suicidal behavior affect the health and safety of both mother and child. In such cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be considered as an alternative to pharmacologic treatment. In this report, we aimed to present anaesth...