Resuming Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) After Emergence of Asymptomatic Atrial Fibrillation During a Course of Right Unilateral ECT

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is rare, with only 3 reported cases. None of those cases involved either young healthy patients or right unilateral ECT. We report a 46-year-old healthy male observed to be in atrial fibrillation immediately after electrical induction of the 25th administration of right unilateral ECT. Diltiazem was administered, and he spontaneously cardioverted. After a negative cardiology workup, he safely resumed ECT. Atrial fibrillation was most likely triggered by autonomic imbalance due to the combination of electrical induction, seizure, and medication.