Subclinical status epilepticus following ECT.
Subclinical status epilepticus is a rare complication of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). We describe the case of a 70-year-old man with psychotic depression who developed prolonged subclinical status epilepticus following an initial ECT treatment; he subsequently received a course of ECT without complications. It is important to consider status epilepticus in the differential diagnosis of patients who do not regain consciousness following ECT, even in the absence of overt motor seizure activity. The development of this complication does not preclude the future use of ECT; in fact, ECT has been repeated successfully in individuals who developed this complication, including this case. Identification of potential risk factors, appropriate preventive measures, and early intervention are important in the management of this complication. The literature is reviewed and appropriate preventive and treatment measures are discussed.
Hansen-Grant
S
S
Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, USA.
Tandon
R
R
Maixner
D
D
DeQuardo
J R
JR
Mahapatra
S
S
D000368:Aged; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013226:Status Epilepticus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000928:Antidepressive Agents