asystole (asistolia)

Contexto del término Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for affective and schizoaffective disorders [l]. With present drug modifications and brief pulse stimulation, there has been a minimization of side effects and risks [2]. Although cardiovascular symptoms (bradycardia, brief asystole, tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias) are not uncommon as part of the normal physiology of ECT, the incidence is greater in the geriatric population (9%), and especially in the population with pre-existing cardiac disease and/or associated risk factors (70%) [3-71. Pharmacologic intervention is not commonly necessary, except in the latter group. Prolonged asystole secondary to ECT is an extremely rare phenomenon. Cardiac mortality is even rarer [8-111. Prolonged asystole following the administration of labetalol is described in this case together with a discussion of cardiac mechanisms.