Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 20, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 28, 2012
Safety of electroconvulsive therapy in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy
Vinay Mehta1, Paul S Mueller, Heydy L Gonzalez-Arriaza
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Objective:
To investigate the safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy.
Patients And Methods:
Retrospective data were reviewed for 35 consecutively hospitalized patients who received long-term warfarin therapy and ECT at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2001.
Results:
A total of 300 ECT treatments were administered to the 35 patients. Of 284 ECT treatments for which data were available, no ECT-related complications due to anticoagulation occurred despite increases in blood pressure and pulse rate. One patient experienced ventricular tachycardia, resulting in transfer to a cardiology service for temporary monitoring. No other serious ECT-related adverse effects were noted. The rate of intertreatment delirium was similar to that reported in other studies.
Conclusions:
Electroconvulsive therapy in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy appears to be safe. Although no major adverse effects were identified in our case series, additional prospective evaluation is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...