Status epilepticus as a complication of concurrent electroconvulsive and theophylline therapy

Status epilepticus that occurs after electroconvulsive therapy is a rarely reported event. Seizures associated with use of theophylline usually result from severe toxicity. We report a case in which status epilepticus occurred after electroconvulsive therapy in a patient who had a theophylline level above the accepted therapeutic range but below that generally associated with seizures. Caution should be exercised in the concurrent administration of electroconvulsive therapy and theophylline preparations.