Author/Authors :
Narumoto, Jin Department of Psychiatry - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan , Watanabe, Anri Department of Psychiatry - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan , Ayani, Nobutaka Department of Psychiatry - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan , Matsuoka, Teruyuki Department of Psychiatry - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan , Waratani, Miyoko Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto, Japan , Hasegawa, Tatsuji Department of Pediatrics - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan , Ishii, Maki Department of Anesthesiology - Graduate School of Medical Science - Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine - Kyoto, Japan
Abstract :
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is considered to be an effective and safe treatment for depression in pregnant women in thatit avoids the risk of psychotropic pharmacotherapy. However, clinicians should be cautious about the adverse effects in the fetus,such as fetal cardiac arrhythmia. Most of the previous studies have demonstrated a reduction in fetal heart rate associated with ECT.However, we encountered a case of fetal tachycardia after maternal ECT-induced convulsions. The patient was a woman who was 30weeks’ pregnant and had severe depression; fetal tachycardia (180–200 bpm) occurred immediately after the electrical stimulationand lasted for more than 30 minutes. The fetal tachycardia might have been caused by maternal hypoxia and uterine contractions.To our knowledge, this is the first report of fetal tachycardia as an adverse effect of ECT. Prolonged fetal tachycardia may cause fetalheart failure. Therefore, oxygenation during convulsions and careful fetal cardiac monitoring are essential when administering ECTin pregnancy.
Keywords :
Fetal Tachycardia , Electroconvulsive Therapy , A Possible Effect , Maternal Hypoxia , Uterine Contractions , ECT
