Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients at High Risk for Physical Complications

Nineteen patients had unrelieved incapacitating or life-threatening conditions likely remediable with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). They also had coexisting medical conditions originally judged to preclude ECT because it risked unacceptable complications. ECT was administered with attempts to prevent complications, although some procedures were canceled for medical reasons. Fourteen of 19 patients completed their course of ECT; one patient died. Sixteen of 19 patients returned to baseline functioning and were discharged. Judicious attempts to treat such high-risk patients with ECT yield therapeutic gains.