Electroconvulsive therapy in a patient with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A case report

Marco Kufner1, Caroline Nothdurfter1, Dagmar Steffling1

  • 1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie der Universität Regensburg am Bezirksklinikum Regensburg Universitätsstr Regensburg Germany.

Clinical Case Reports
|September 12, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be safely used in bipolar disorder patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This case report highlights successful ECT application and key considerations for managing cardiac risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a vital treatment for severe mood disorders.
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presents significant risks for patients undergoing anesthesia and medical procedures.
  • Clinical guidelines for ECT in patients with comorbid HCM are lacking.

Observation:

  • A 43-year-old patient with bipolar disorder and diagnosed HCM was considered for ECT.
  • The patient underwent a thorough pre-ECT cardiac and psychiatric evaluation.
  • Careful anesthetic and monitoring protocols were implemented during ECT sessions.

Findings:

  • The patient successfully completed the ECT course without cardiac complications.
  • ECT led to significant improvement in bipolar disorder symptoms.
  • No adverse cardiac events were observed during or after the treatment.

Implications:

  • This case suggests ECT can be a viable option for bipolar disorder patients with HCM.
  • It underscores the importance of individualized risk assessment and management strategies.
  • Further research is warranted to establish definitive guidelines for ECT in this patient population.

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