title: Safe ECT in a patient with the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.
abstract: The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is an inheritable disorder caused by genetic defects of collagen. Hyperextensibility and fragility of the skin, joint hyperlaxity, and generalized fragility of the connective tissues, involving the hollow organs and arteries, are the cardinal features of this syndrome. Low bone density has also been reported. Theoretically, these patients can have an increased risk of rupture of blood vessels and of bone fractures. A patient with a schizo-affective disorder and Ehlers-Danlos Type I who received bifrontal ECT for a depressive episode is described. Even without specific measures to lower blood pressure, a course of ECT was finished without any complication.
authors.affiliation: ECT Department, University Centre Sint-Jozef, Leuvensesteenweg, Kortenberg, Belgium. pascal.sienaert@uc-kortenberg.be
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sienaert
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Hert
authors.forename: Martine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.forename: Filip
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bouckaert
authors.forename: Sabien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyckaert
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hagon
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hagon
authors.forename: Jozef
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Peuskens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D004535:Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome