Pulmonary embolism after ECT.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe procedure, infrequently associated with life-threatening complications. Pulmonary embolism (PE) as a complication of ECT has been rarely reported. We describe a nonfatal case of PE that developed during ECT in a 50-year-old man with depression, hypertension, and diabetes. He developed symptoms of PE immediately upon awakening from the eighth right unilateral ECT, which was later confirmed by spiral chest computed tomography. We review the literature, discussing risk factors relevant to the pathophysiology of PE and making suggestions about the management of patients with suspicious symptoms.
Mamah
Daniel
D
Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110-1093, USA. mamahd@psychiatry.wustl.edu
Lammle
Markus
M
Isenberg
Keith E
KE
D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods