전기경련요법의 심전도에 대한영향

The Effects o f Electro-Convulsive Therapy on Electrocardiogram

This study was conducted to determine the electrocardiographic effects during modified electroconvulsive therapy. A series of 22 patients were submitted to 228 electric convulsions which had been modified by the intravenous injection of ultra-short-acting barbiturates and muscle relaxant. Electrocardiograms were taken before, during and after(4 and 1/2 hours later) the convulsive stage. During convulsive stage, a marked degree of sinus tachycardia was usual, ST segment depression(2 mm. or more) developed in four cases and sinus arrhythmia was recorded in one case. These irregularities disappeared after convulsive stage. In 3 cases with clinical or electrocardiographic evidence of mild heart disease, no serious cardiovascular disturbance occured. With this study results, we conclude that modified electroconvulsive therapy is safe if we follow precautions of treatment procedures.