Electroconvulsive therapy--induced hemodynamic changes unmask unsuspected coronary artery disease

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known to produce increases in heart rate and blood pressure during seizure activity due to sympathetic stimulation and systemic catecholamine surges. These intense, brief hemodynamic changes can adversely affect myocardial oxygen supply and demand. In patients with compromised myocardial circulation, ECT can unmask undiagnosed cardiac disease. In this case report, ECT was performed on a 64-year-old white male with negative cardiac history. The patient awakened complaining of chest pain and ST wave depression was noted on the electrocardiogram. Cardiology consultation and cardiac catheterization were followed by coronary artery bypass surgery for significant coronary artery stenosis prior to resumption of ECT treatments. The physiological changes that occur during ECT are discussed, as well as pitfalls in evaluation of these patients for ECT treatment.