Electroshock Treatment: Two Novel Problems
RALPH N. WHARTON M.D.1
1 New York State Psychiatric Institute, 722 W. 168th St., New York, N. Y. 10032
The use of EST on two depressed patients with unusual medical complications is reviewed. The author concludes that this therapy should not be used when a diagnosis of hyperkaliemia and periodic paralysis is made. However, EST is judged safe for elderly patients with epicardial pacemakers; in fact, a pacemaker may be helpful in such cases.
