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Is prolongation of corrected QT interval associated with seizures induced by electroconvulsive therapy reduced by atropine sulfate?
Author(s) -
Suzuki Yoko,
Miyajima Miho,
Ohta Katsuya,
Yoshida Noriko,
Omoya Rie,
Fujiwara Mayo,
Watanabe Takafumi,
Okumura Masaki,
Yamazaki Hiroaki,
Shintaku Masayuki,
Murata Issei,
Ozaki Shigeru,
Sasaki Takeshi,
Nakamura Mitsuru,
Suwa Hiroshi,
Sasano Tetsuo,
Kawara Tokuhiro,
Matsuura Masato,
Matsushima Eisuke
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pacing and clinical electrophysiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.686
H-Index - 101
eISSN - 1540-8159
pISSN - 0147-8389
DOI - 10.1111/pace.13188
Subject(s) - qt interval , medicine , atropine , atropine sulfate , electroconvulsive therapy , anesthesia , repolarization , cardiology , prolongation , heart rate , electrocardiography , long qt syndrome , electrophysiology , blood pressure , electroconvulsive shock
Background Electrocardiogram abnormalities have been reported during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). A corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation indicates delayed ventricular repolarization, which can trigger ventricular arrhythmias such as torsade de pointes (TdP). We examined the QTc changes during generalized tonic‐clonic seizures induced by ECT, and the effects of atropine sulfate on these QTc changes. Methods We analyzed heart rate, QT interval, and QTc in 32 patients with depression who underwent ECT (25 women, 67.4 ± 8.7 years of age). The QTc from −30 to 0 seconds prestimulation was used as baseline, which was compared with QTc at 20–30 seconds and 140–150 seconds poststimulus onset. Results QTc was significantly prolonged at 20–30 seconds poststimulus, then significantly decreased at 140–150 seconds poststimulus, compared with baseline. QTc prolongation induced by ECT was significantly decreased by atropine sulfate. Conclusions These data suggest that the risk of TdP may be enhanced by ECT. Further, the risk of cardiac ventricular arrhythmias, including TdP, may be reduced by administration of atropine sulfate.