A prospective comparative study of interaction between lithium and modified electroconvulsive therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare patients on lithium and those not on lithium with regard to adverse effects while receiving ECT.


METHODS
Inpatients with schizophrenia, non-organic psychosis, mania and depression, who were prescribed ECTs either on (n=27) or not (n=28) on lithium were studied. Clinicians blind to lithium-status recorded seizure parameters, interaction with succinyl choline, cardiovascular response, recovery from ECT and immediate post-ECT complications.


RESULTS
The lithium group showed no significant difference in terms of seizure variables, apnea time, and recovery from anaesthesia when compared to the non-lithium group. Average maximum heart rate, average maximum systolic blood pressure and average maximum rate pressure product were significantly lower in patients who had combined lithium and ECT. In lithium patients the average time to post-ECT recovery was directly correlated with serum lithium level.


CONCLUSIONS
Though concurrent lithium is by and large safe during ECT, it benefits to maintain serum lithium level at lower end of therapeutic range. However, the findings can be applied to relatively young patients with no risk factors for ECT-complications.
Thirthalli
Jagadisha
J
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore, India. jagatth@yahoo.com
Harish
Thippeswamy
T
Gangadhar
Bangalore N
BN
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001714:Bipolar Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy; D012640:Seizures; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000097:blood
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium; D013390:Succinylcholine