Electroconvulsive_Therapy_Flashcards

Question 1

What is electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) primarily used to treat?

Answer 1

ECT is primarily used to treat patients with severe depression refractory to medication, such as those with catatonia or psychotic symptoms.

Question 2

What is the only absolute contraindication for ECT?

Answer 2

The only absolute contraindication for ECT is raised intracranial pressure.

Question 3

What are the short-term side effects of ECT?

Answer 3

The short-term side effects of ECT include headache, nausea, short term memory impairment, memory loss of events prior to ECT, and cardiac arrhythmia.

Question 4

What are some long-term side effects of ECT?

Answer 4

Some patients report impaired memory as a long-term side effect of ECT.

Question 5

summarise ECT

Answer 5

Electroconvulsive therapy

Electroconvulsive therapy is a useful treatment option for patients with severe depression refractory to medication (e.g. catatonia) those with psychotic symptoms. The only absolute contraindications is raised intracranial pressure.

Short-term side-effects
headache
nausea
short term memory impairment
memory loss of events prior to ECT
cardiac arrhythmia

Long-term side-effects
some patients report impaired memory

Question 6

A 23-year-old man undergoes electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for treatment-resistant depression.

Which of the following side effects is he most likely to experience?

Constipation
Retrograde amnesia
Anterograde amnesia
Galactorrhea
Hypothermia

Answer 6

Retrograde amnesia

ECT can cause memory impairment

Memory loss is the most important side effect of ECT. NICE guidelines state that memory should be assessed at the start and end of each course of treatment. Retrograde amnesia (remembering events prior to the insult) is far more common that anterograde amnesia (loss of ability to form new memories after the insult)

Other side effects can be categorised immediate and longer-term side effects;

Immediate side effects
Drowsiness
Confusion
Headache
Nausea
Aching muscles
Loss of appetite

Long term side effects
Apathy
Anhedonia
Difficulty concentrating
Loss of emotional responses
Difficulty learning new information

Hypothermia, Galactorrhea and constipation are not recognised side effects of ECT.