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Effect of electroconvulsive therapy on cardiac rhythm, conduction and repolarization
Pacing and Clinical Electrophysiology : PACE
|April 1, 1978
Summary
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) causes sympathetic stimulation, increasing heart rate and altering cardiac intervals. However, ECT did not induce arrhythmias in psychiatric patients without heart disease.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Autonomic Nervous System
Background:
- Sympathetic nervous system stimulation is linked to arrhythmia development.
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is known to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cardiac arrhythmias.
- To assess if ECT-induced autonomic stimulation leads to arrhythmias in patients without pre-existing heart conditions.
Main Methods:
- Conducted 24-hour Holter monitoring on 15 psychiatric patients before, during, and after ECT.
- Monitored heart rate, PR interval, and QTc interval.
- Recorded frequencies of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) and premature atrial contractions (PACs).
Main Results:
- ECT significantly increased maximum heart rate and decreased PR interval.
- A significant increase in QTc interval was observed post-ECT.
- No significant changes in PVC or PAC frequencies were noted, and no complex arrhythmias occurred.
Conclusions:
- ECT-induced autonomic stimulation, while affecting heart rate and intervals, did not trigger arrhythmias in patients without heart disease.
- The study suggests a potential antiarrhythmic effect, possibly due to psychotropic medications or premedication, though this requires further investigation.