ECT and automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a relatively safe and effective treatment even in depressed patients with preexisting cardiovascular diseases. However, little is known about its use in patients with automatic internal cardioverter-defibrillator (AICD). This case report describes a successful administration of ECT in a treatment-refractory depressed patient with an AICD, where the AICD device was deactivated during each ECT treatments and reactivated immediately upon completion of each treatment. The presence of an AICD should not be a contraindication to receiving ECT.