Corrected QT interval changes during electroconvulsive therapy-antidepressants-atypical antipsychotics
Panagiotis Oulis1, Andreas Florakis, Maria Markatou
11st Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece. oulisp@med.uoa.gr
The Journal of ECT
|February 24, 2011
Summary
This study found that combining electroconvulsive therapy with antidepressants, ziprasidone, and quetiapine did not significantly alter the corrected QT interval in patients with severe depression. Cardiac adverse events were not observed, suggesting potential safety for this combination therapy.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Severe major depression often requires augmentation strategies when pharmacotherapy alone is insufficient.
- Certain antidepressants and atypical antipsychotics (ziprasidone, quetiapine) can prolong the corrected QT (QTc) interval.
- The safety of combining electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) with these psychotropic medications requires investigation.
Observation:
- Six female patients with treatment-resistant severe major depression received bilateral ECT sessions.
- The treatment regimen included a combination of antidepressants, ziprasidone, and quetiapine.
- Corrected QT intervals were monitored before and after each ECT session, up to 10 minutes post-seizure.
Findings:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) coadministration with antidepressants, ziprasidone, and quetiapine did not result in significant QTc interval prolongation.
- All observed QTc interval changes remained within normal physiological limits.
- No cardiac adverse events were reported during the study period.
Implications:
- The combination of ECT with antidepressants, ziprasidone, and quetiapine appears safe concerning QTc interval changes in severe major depression.
- This finding supports the potential use of this combined treatment approach for pharmacotherapy-resistant depression.
- Further research is warranted to confirm these safety findings in larger patient cohorts.
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