What are the contraindications to ECT?

What are the contraindications to ECT?

Major risks of ECT involve the central nervous and car-diovascular systems. Central nervous system contraindica-tions include space-occupying lesions, aneurysm, increased intracranial pressure, and recent cerebrovascular accident.

Cardiovascular system contraindications include recent myocardial infarction and aortic aneurysm. Scattered reports of successful ECT treatments in such patients do exist; therefore, each should be considered on an individual basis as to whether to proceed with ECT or not.

ECT current could interfere with permanent pacemaker activity. There is large variation in models of cardiac pace-makers and a consultation with a cardiologist is necessary to ascertain the best management for each patient.