Electroconvulsive therapy in 77-year-old patient with pacemaker: a case report

Tomasz Mędrala,1 Anna Pycińska,1 Bartłomiej Pyciński,2 Wojciech Merk,1 Krzysztof Kucia1 1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, 2Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, Zabrze, Poland Abstract: The treatment of a 77-year-old patient suffering from severe psychotic depression with a cardiac pacemaker is described. Because of treatment-resistant depression, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was introduced. In the course of ECT, there was a great improvement in his mental state without any cardiac complications. This case may be evidence for the safety and effectiveness of ECT in the elderly, even with cardiac comorbidities. Some recommendations for ECT in patients with pacemakers are discussed. Keywords: refractory depression, cardiac stimulator, electroconvulsive therap