Nonconvulsive status epilepticus and central paralysis after modified electroconvulsive therapy in a schizophrenic patient

Tardive Seizures After Electroconvulsive Therapy

OBJECTIVES

Seizures that occur spontaneously after termination of an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) seizure are termed tardive seizures. They are thought to be a rare complication of ECT, influenced by risk factors that affect seizure threshold. However, there has been limited review of tardive seizures with modified ECT. We aimed to review the literature to provide clinical guidance for the use of ECT after tardive seizures.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, PsycInfo, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception to May 2021 to identify cases of modified ECT, with evidence of a seizure occurring within 7 days of a terminated ECT seizure. Data for demographic, medical, pharmacological, anesthetic, and ECT variables as well as management strategies were collected.

RESULTS

There have been 39 episodes of modified ECT-related tardive seizures published over a period of 40 years. In 97.4% of cases, there was at least 1 identified potential risk factor for seizures, including use of a seizure-lowering medication and/or preexisting neurological injury. Major complications were uncommon (<15% of cases); however, 1 fetal death and 1 subsequent suicide were reported. No case was diagnosed with epilepsy, although around 20% continued on antiepileptic medications. More than half of the included patients were retrialed on ECT, with only 15% developing further tardive seizures.

CONCLUSIONS

Seizures that occurred spontaneously after the termination of an ECT seizure are a rare complication of modified ECT. Recommencing ECT after a tardive seizure may occur after review of modifiable seizure risk factors and with consideration of antiepileptic medication and extended post-ECT monitoring.

Non-convulsive Status Epilepticus in a Patient With Schizoaffective and Seizure Disorder on Clozapine and Electroconvulsive Therapy: A Case Report

There is limited literature on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with a severe schizophrenia spectrum illness and concomitant seizure disorder. In addition, it is unclear whether it is safe to perform ECT in a patient with these comorbidities and a history of status epilepticus.

This is the case of a 48-year-old patient with a history of schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, refractory psychosis on clozapine and ECT, and seizure disorder on carbamazepine. She presented to the emergency department with suspected post-ECT delirium four days after her last ECT treatment, was found to be in non-convulsive status epilepticus, and was admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit. Coma induction was required for seizure control. As she stabilized, her psychosis worsened, and she required psychiatric hospitalization.

Multiple factors may have contributed to the development of status epilepticus in this patient. She was on clozapine, which has a time- and dose-dependent risk of seizure that prescribers should be wary of. She had also been prescribed the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine, which induces clozapine and itself, decreasing their effectiveness. Upon the patient’s discharge, ECT was suspended indefinitely due to concern that it may have led to status epilepticus. However, case reports suggest that intractable seizures following ECT are rare.

We found no reports of status epilepticus occurring more than 60 minutes after the completion of ECT. If the benefits of ECT are significant, then it should remain a treatment option for the patient.