title: The safety of electroconvulsive therapy and lithium in combination: a case series and review of the literature.
abstract: Early reports cautioned against the combination of lithium and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), citing risk of excessive cognitive disturbance, prolonged apnea, and spontaneous seizures. However, recent case series with larger numbers of patients indicate that the combination may be used safely and with optimal efficacy in certain clinical circumstances. In this report, we describe 12 patients in whom the combination of lithium and ECT was deemed safe. We also provide a comprehensive review of published literature and provide detailed recommendations for clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Tamara J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Dolenc
authors.forename: Keith G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D018692:Antimanic Agents; D016651:Lithium Carbonate