Author/Authors :
Alpak, Gokay Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Psychiatry, Turkey , Ercan, Suleyman Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Alici, Hayri 25 Aralik State Hospital - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Bulbul, Feridun Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Psychiatry, Turkey , Altunbas, Gokhan Kilis State Hospital - Department of Cardiology, Turkey , Alici, Demet Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Psychiatry, Turkey , Saricicek, Vahap Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Anesthesiology, Turkey , Davutoglu, Vedat Gaziantep University - School of Medicine - Department of Cardiology, Turkey
Abstract :
Objective: To investigate the effects of recurrent electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography. Subjects and Methods: Twenty-three patients (11 males and 12 females) with different psychiatric disorders who were apparently free of any cardiovascular disorders and underwent ECT were enrolled in the study. Echocardiographic findings including diastolic mitral inflow and tissue Doppler features were recorded at baseline and at the end of the 7th and last ECT in all patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 37.95 ± 13.28 years (range 19– 71). There was no significant difference in mitral E wave velocities and tissue Doppler E’ velocities between the baseline and after the 1st ECT (p = 0.161 and p = 0.083, respectively). The results were similar after the last ECT session (p = 0.463 and p = 0.310, respectively). However, there was a significant increase in transmitral A wave velocity after the 1st and 7th ECT session compared to the values at baseline (p = 0.008 and p = 0.017, respectively). Conclusion: The mitral diastolic inflow A wave velocity increased 20 min after ECT, and this increase persisted after recurrent ECT sessions. This finding could be considered as an indicator of acutely increased sympathetic tone.
