Early Electroconvulsive Treatment of a Patient Who Had Artificial Aortic and Mitral Valves
JOHN B. HARDMAN M.D.1, and
ROBERT M. MORSE M.D.2
1 Resident, Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Minnesota, Rochester, Minn.
2 Instructor, Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Graduate School of Medicine of the University of Minnesota, Rochester, Minn. and Consultant, Department of Psychiatry, Mayo Clinic
A 45-year-old man developed a psychotic depression 11 days after the surgical replacement of both aortic and mitral valves with prostheses. He was effectively treated with ECT beginning 27 days after the surgery. This case further confirms the feasibility of the early use of ECT in patients who have had heart surgery. Starting treatment when psychosis occurs alleviates many management problems. Close monitoring of the patient's cardiac status is important.
