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A Review Electroconvulsive Therapy in Cochlear Implant Patients.
Laerke Noergaard Albertsen1, Jesper Krogh Lauridsen
1From the Aarhus Universitetshospital Psykiatrien, Psykiatrien i Region Midtjylland, Aarhus, Denmark.
The Journal of ECT
|October 26, 2021
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) use in cochlear implant (CI) patients appears safe, with no reported harm to patients or implants in existing literature. This review suggests ECT is not contraindicated for CI users.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Neurosurgery
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a treatment for severe mental health conditions.
- Cochlear implants (CIs) are devices for hearing restoration.
- The safety of ECT in patients with CIs is not well-established, lacking a consensus statement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on the safety and efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with cochlear implants (CIs).
- To determine if there is evidence to contraindicate ECT in cochlear implant users.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of published case reports.
- Inclusion of a cadaveric study investigating potential effects on cochlear implants.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 4 case reports and 1 cadaveric study.
- No adverse events or harm reported for patients undergoing ECT with CIs.
- No damage observed to the cochlear implant devices.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence suggests that electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is not contraindicated in patients with cochlear implants (CIs).
- Further research may be warranted, but existing data indicate a favorable safety profile.
- This review provides preliminary support for the use of ECT in this patient population.
