PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Allan T Hanretta

Publications and source records attributed to Allan T Hanretta.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Combined use of ECT with duloxetine and olanzapine: a case report.

A 38-year-old woman with medication-resistant major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder was treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) concurrent with a duloxetine-olanzapine combination. The treatment resulted in complete resolution of major depression without any complications. This case report suggests that treatment with the combination of duloxetine and olanzapine concurrently with ECT was found safe and uncomplicated. The literature on the combined use of antidepressants and ECT is briefly reviewed.

Adult↗

Possible reduction in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms with oxcarbazepine in a patient with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To report the effect of oxcarbazepine in a patient with bipolar illness and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). CASE SUMMARY: A 38-year-old white woman with PTSD and bipolar disorder who had partially responded to carbamazepine was treated with oxcarbazepine. Within a month of initiation of treatment with oxcarbazepine, she reported progressive improvement in her PTSD symptoms. As oxcarbazepine monotherapy with 750 mg twice daily continued, she reported significant reduction of her PTSD symptoms and stabilization of her mood. She tolerated oxcarbazepine without adverse effects. DISCUSSION: PTSD symptoms tend to wax and wane. Spontaneous remission also occurs in some patients with PTSD. There are a few reports indicating that carbamazepine alleviates PTSD symptoms. Since oxcarbazepine is an analog of carbamazepine, it is theorized that oxcarbazepine also has efficacy in significantly reducing PTSD symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: There are case reports and uncontrolled studies suggesting that antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) alleviate PTSD symptoms. Oxcarbazepine may also benefit patients with PTSD. However, controlled studies are needed to investigate the use of AEDs in patients with PTSD and bipolar disorder.

Adult↗

Successful ECT in a patient with intracranial venous angioma.

The 1990 American Psychiatric Association (APA) Task Force report on electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) suggests that there is an increased risk of complications in patients with intracranial vascular masses. There have been only a few published reports on the use of ECT in these patients. In this case report, an additional case is described that used ECT in the treatment of major depression in a 72-year-old patient with a venous angioma involving the left cerebellum. Brain imaging studies, neurosurgery, cardiology, and orthopedic consultations were obtained prior to ECT. Blood pressure was monitored closely throughout the course of ECT. Prior to each ECT, antihypertensive medication was given in addition to other pretreatment medications. Consistent with previously published reports, the patient did not experience any neurological deterioration or adverse effects. A brief review of the literature on the use of ECT in patients with venous angioma and other intracranial vascular masses is presented.

Affective Disorders, Psychotic↗