Asystole a few seconds after the electrical stimulation of electroconvulsive therapy

Asystole during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) occurs occasionally and is potentially harmful. Asystole typically happens immediately after the electrical stimulation due to excessive parasympathetic nervous system activity by direct stimulation of the vagus nerve. A case of a woman with depression and strong suicidal ideation who showed asystole during an ECT seizure is presented. Her 15-sec-long asystole did not occur immediately after the ECT stimulation, but 11sec after the stimulation. Her electrocardiogram suggested that her asystole was due to excessive parasympathetic nervous system activity, similar to common asystole during ECT.
Source: Psychosomatics - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Source Type: research