Acute neurogenic pulmonary edema following electroconvulsive therapy: a case report

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2012 Nov-Dec;34(6):703.e9-703.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2012.03.004. Epub 2012 Apr 18.

Abstract

Objective: We report the case of a 47-year-old man with depression who developed acute dyspnea, hypoxemia, and mild hemoptysis after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Method: Intravenous carbazochrome sodium sulfate hydrate as a hemostatic drug (100 mg/day) was prescribed for 2 days. On the day of ECT, oxygen inhalation (4 L/min) was continued, and SpO2 was maintained at 94-96%.

Results: Chest radiography showed improvement in alveolar infiltration. Chest CT 6 days after ECT also confirmed the disappearance of ground glass opacities in the lung fields.

Conclusion(s): NPE is life threatening and should be recognized as an uncommon adverse event associated with ECT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenochrome / analogs & derivatives
  • Adrenochrome / therapeutic use
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy*
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Hemostatics / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Edema / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Edema / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Edema / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Hemostatics
  • Adrenochrome
  • carbazochrome