Pulmonary edema after electroconvulsive therapy.
A 42-year-old right-handed man with major depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and hypertension received 7 treatments of right unilateral electroconvulsive therapy, with the only complications being elevated blood pressure up to 180/120 mm Hg and agitation upon awakening. During eighth treatment, he experienced blood pressures as high as 210/130 mm Hg with severe agitation upon awakening from anesthesia followed by pulmonary edema. Pulmonary edema is rarely seen as a complication in electroconvulsive therapy, but if the airway becomes obstructed or there is excessive sympathetic discharge during the procedure, pulmonary edema may be more likely to occur.
Sargent
Paul
P
Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA 92134, USA.
Reeves
James
J
D000328:Adult; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D003422:Critical Care; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D013183:Sputum / Q000502:physiology; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D013564:Sympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology