Electroconvulsive therapy for post-stroke depressed geriatric patients.
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for 20 medically ill geriatric patients who received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for post-stroke depression from January 1982 to January 1991 at Massachusetts General Hospital. Of the 19 patients (95%) who improved with ECT, 7 patients (37%) suffered relapses despite maintenance anti-depressant medications. Relapses typically developed approximately 4 months after ECT. Five patients (23%) developed ECT-related medical complications. Three patients (15%) developed transient interictal confusion or amnesia. No patient experienced an exacerbation of preexisting neurologic deficits. These findings indicate that ECT is a generally well tolerated and effective treatment for depressed, medically ill post-stroke geriatric patients.
Currier
M B
MB
Psychiatric Consultation Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Murray
G B
GB
Welch
C C
CC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010552:Personality Assessment