Atropine in Electroconvulsive Therapy

Nineteen patients with major depression were alternately given intravenous atropine or saline immediately prior to anesthesia for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Atropine increased the heart rate, reduced the number of dropped beats, and reduced the number of premature atrial beats. These features may be advantageous in patients with cardiac hypodynamic states presenting for ECT, that is, with bradycardia, bradyarrhythmia, or hypotension. However, as atropine also increased the cardiac work, we recommend that it not be given to patients with hypertension, tachycardia, or who are at risk for cardiac ischemia.