ECT in Catatonia from a Palliative Perspective: A Case Series

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a well established treatment for catatonia. Although studies are limited, ECT is safe and effective in geriatric patients even those with serious medical comorbidities. Untreated or refractory catatonia can lead to medical complications including malnutrition, venous thromboembolism, aspiration pneumonia and skin breakdown. Mortality from catatonia is typically mentioned in the context of malignant catatonia; however, non-malignant catatonia can also be fatal. The discussion of ECT from a palliative perspective is limited in the literature thus far.
Source: The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry - Category: Geriatrics Authors: Tags: Poster # EI40 Source Type: research