SUDDEN DEATH AFTER ELECTRIC SHOCK TREATMENT DUE TO TRACHEAL AND BRONCHIAL OBSTRUCTION
WERNER TUTEUR M. D.1
1 Clinical Director, Elgin State Hospital. Clinical associate, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University.
A case is described of a 34-year-old male who expired suddenly during electroshock treatment. His death was ascribed to congestion of the trachea and main bronchi with viscous pus-like mucous material. In any possibility, his death cannot be ascribed to cardiac or cerebral damage. The case is an addition to the relatively small series of fatalities due to electric shock treatment, a total of only 40 having been described in the American and English literature. Needless to say, care should be taken to have a patient properly ventilate before electric shock treatment, especially after having been in continous restraint for a considerable length of time.
