Safety of electroconvulsive therapy in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy.


METHODS
Retrospective data were reviewed for 35 consecutively hospitalized patients who received long-term warfarin therapy and ECT at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between January 1, 1994, and December 31, 2001.


RESULTS
A total of 300 ECT treatments were administered to the 35 patients. Of 284 ECT treatments for which data were available, no ECT-related complications due to anticoagulation occurred despite increases in blood pressure and pulse rate. One patient experienced ventricular tachycardia, resulting in transfer to a cardiology service for temporary monitoring. No other serious ECT-related adverse effects were noted. The rate of intertreatment delirium was similar to that reported in other studies.


CONCLUSIONS
Electroconvulsive therapy in patients receiving long-term warfarin therapy appears to be safe. Although no major adverse effects were identified in our case series, additional prospective evaluation is warranted.
Mehta
Vinay
V
Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Mueller
Paul S
PS
Gonzalez-Arriaza
Heydy L
HL
Pankratz
V Shane
VS
Rummans
Teresa A
TA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin