THE PROPHYLAXIS OF CARDIAC COMPLICATIONS IN ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY
MAX HAYMAN M. C., A. U. S.
The cases cited suggest that premedication in patients with cardiac disease is an effective prophylaxis for the development of cardiac complications. Often where cardiac complications occur they are preceded by various arrhythmias and these may be controlled with quinidine sulfate. Vasodilator drugs may be useful in preventing cardiac complications of vascular origin but there was no opportunity to test this. No mention in the literature of such premedication has come to attention and the writer has had no opportunity in recent years of developing this work. A wider trial and close observation of such premedication by workers now engaged in this field may enable more patients in the older age group with psychiatric conditions to obtain the benefit of electroshock treatment.
