Electroconvulsive therapy management

The patients in the Zielinski et al. (1993) study developed more severe cardiac complications than did those of Rice et al. (1994). This discrepancy may result from the former study requiring rigorous evaluation of cardiac illness, with strict inclusion criteria, and thus may have involved relatively sicker patients. Nonetheless, even in the Zielinski et al. (1993) study, 38 of 40 cardiac patients completed a course of ECT. Indeed, with proper monitoring and management, patients with cardiac disease can be safely treated with ECT (American Psychiatric Association Task Force on Electroconvulsive Therapy 1990). 

Small IF, Milstein V, Miller MJ, et al Electroconvulsive treatment—indications, benefits, and limitations. Am J Psychother 40 343-356, 1986 Small JG, Klapper MH, Kellams JJ, et al Electroconvulsive therapy compared with lithium in the management of manic states. Arch Gen Psychiatry 45 727-732, 1988... 

Tremor and akathisia are less common and can be managed with dose reduction or the addition of a P-blocker such as propranolol (10-40 mg). There are isolated case reports of SSRl-related dystonia and increasing reports of SSRl-related exacerbation of Parkinson s disease (Di Rocco et al. 1998 Linazasoro 2000). The advisability of SSRl use in depressed patients with Parkinson s disease remains to be determined. Bupropion and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be reasonable alternatives for these patients. 

It is well established that monotherapy with various antidepressants or mood stabilizers is relatively ineffective (i.e., they are necessary but not sufficient) for treating mood disorders with associated psychosis. Thus, psychotically depressed patients are best managed with a combination of antipsychotic-antidepressant or with electroconvulsive therapy. Although antipsychotics have a more rapid onset of action than lithium in an acute manic episode, we are unaware of clinical trials that examine the differential effect of antipsychotics or lithium for nonpsychotic versus psychotic mania. This topic is discussed further in... 

Naguib M, Koorn R. Interactions between psychotropics, anaesthetics and electroconvulsive therapy implications for drug choice and patient management. CNS Drugs 2002 16(4) 229-47. 

Psychopharmacological agents such as antidepressants, antipsychotics (in patients with personality disorders) and lithium (in patients with bipolar disorders) have been shown to be effective in preventing suicidal behavior. The efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is more controversial. Another equally important aspect of the optimal clinical management of suicidal patients is the quality of the doctor-patient relationship. 

The psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, the manic phase of bipolar (manic-depressive) illness, acute idiopathic psychotic illnesses, and other conditions marked by severe agitation. All exhibit major disturbances in reasoning, often with delusions and hallucinations. Several classes of drugs are effective for symptomatic treatment. Antipsychotic agents also are useful alternatives to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in severe depression with psychotic features, and sometimes are used in the management of patients with psychotic disorders associated with delirium or dementia or induced by other agents (e.g., stimulants or L-DOPA). 

Chapter 47 Electroconvulsive Therapy fECTl Preparation Assessment Management... 

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