Electroconvulsive therapy in an elderly patient with severe aortic stenosis: A case report and review of literature

Abstract

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is one of the safest treatment options for psychiatric illnesses with no absolute contraindications. However, certain medical conditions including cardiac ailments such as aortic stenosis are associated with increased risk with ECT. We present the case of a 74-year-old female who was suffering from severe depression with psychotic symptoms (which had not responded to two adequate trials of antidepressants), along with severe aortic stenosis, who was managed with modified bilateral ECT and review the available literature.

Keywords

• Aortic stenosis
• elderly
• electroconvulsive therapy