Open AccessElectroconvulsive therapy‐induced transient T‐wave inversions on ECG
Author(s) -
Cockey George H.,
Richard Conti C.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960180711
Subject(s) - medicine , electroconvulsive therapy , t wave , cardiology , coronary artery disease , electrocardiography , depression (economics) , precordial examination , heart disease , anesthesia , electroconvulsive shock , economics , macroeconomics
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), regarded as safe, well tolerated, and one of the most effective treatments for depression, is used frequently in patients with underlying coronary artery disease. ECT has been associated with ST depression and arrhythmias probably due to increased myocardial demand in patients with coronary artery disease. This report describes a case of transient new T‐wave inversions in precordial leads V 2 and V 3 and flattening of T waves in leads III, V 3 , V 4 , V 5 , and a VF after two courses of ECT in a patient with minimal cardiac risk factors, normal echocardiogram, and normal pre‐ECT electrocardiogram (ECG). These T‐wave changes may represent increased sympathetic activity induced by ECT. Previous prospective studies of 26 and 21 patients undergoing serial ECT found only one new T‐wave inversion and no pathologic Q waves on serial ECGs, suggesting that this is a rare finding.