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Electroconvulsion therapy and the haemodialysis dependent patient

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Summary

The influence of modified electroconvulsion therapy (E.C.T.) on a patient in established renal failure was studied. Cardiovascular responses were minimal and short lived. A significant change in plasma potassium levels occurred 2 and 5 minutes after succinylcholine and E.C.T. (<0.05 and P<0.02), the increase being within normal limits. It is suggested that electroshock therapy should not be withheld from patients having regular dialysis if this form of treatment is required.

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MacEvilly, M., Riordan, D., Ryan, J.P. et al. Electroconvulsion therapy and the haemodialysis dependent patient. I.J.M.S. 152, 392–393 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02960752

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02960752

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