A COMPARISON OF ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC CHANGES IN PRE AND POST PROCEDURE PERIOD IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY

Abstract

The sensitive self excitable myocardial tissue is known to be affected by exogenous source of electrical stimulation resulting in moderate changes in rate, rhythm or altered conduction to very severe arrhythmias which are potentially fatal. The present non randomized prospective study was done on 100 subjects undergoing electroconvulsive therapy as part of their treatment for psychiatric ailments. ECG was recorded in pre and post ECT periods to assess evidence of electrical stimulation induced changes in ECG parameters. None of the patients had cardiac disease prior to ECT. Our study revealed definite and significant changes in the heart rate in the post ECT period. However contrary to the other published studies, no serious rhythm abnormalities were observed. The study concludes that at  energy level (70-130 volts)   used in modern ECT equipment and the duration (0.5-1.5 seconds) for which the electrical energy is passed through the human body, it does not cause significant changes in the electrical activity of the heart in North Indian subjects.