Biomedical subjects

Dwight L. Evans

Publications and source records attributed to Dwight L. Evans.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1991

The Reliability of Computer-Processed EEG in the Determination of ECT Seizure Duration.

The reliability of single-channel analog EEG and two-channel, computer-processed EEG (cEEG) in determining seizure duration during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) was studied in 144 consecutive individual treatment sessions of 14 hospitalized patients. Seizure durations determined by post hoc, blind readings of data generated by each method were compared. These estimates of seizure duration were also compared to those determined by the "cuff" method. We found that under our study conditions, the cEEG method was more reliable than the EEG method in two tests of reliability: the cEEG method had fewer readings with a discrepancy of 10 s or more between readers, and had a higher degree of correlation between readers. There was no difference, however, between the cEEG and EEG methods when comparing mean differences and the mean absolute difference between readers within the methods. We also found that the EEG and cEEG methods detected seizure durations that were substantially longer than those detected by the "cuff" method. We conclude that under our study conditions, cEEG was more reliable than analog EEG in certain measures of reliability.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1989

Electroconvulsive Therapy in Geriatric Patients Undergoing Anticoagulation Therapy.

Antidepressant treatment of the depressed geriatric patient can be complicated by concomitant medical illness. We report the successful administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in three depressed geriatric patients who received the oral anticoagulant warfarin (Coumadin) for cardiovascular disease. The physiologic changes associated with modified ECT and risk factors for intracerebral hemorrhage in patients receiving anticoagulants are discussed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

ECT and Neurological Disorders.

Clinicians become concerned when ECT is contemplated in an individual with a neurological disorder. In this review, the authors summarize the reports on the use of ECT in the presence of neurological disease. Because blood pressure, cerebral blood flow, and intracranial pressure rise with ECT, space-occupying lesions with increased intracranial pressure, cerebral aneurysm, recent head trauma, or active CNS infection pose special concerns for ECT treatment. In this review, we conclude that epilepsy and states with lowered seizure threshold may predispose to prolonged seizures. A history of head injury or stroke probably does not increase risk. Toxic/metabolic disorders are not contraindications to ECT, although correction of the underlying imbalance is a first priority. Extrapyramidal, demyelinating, and neuromuscular disorders pose little increased risk. Indeed, in Parkinson's Disease, ECT may be beneficial for the motor symptoms. As a general rule, it seems advisable to treat the underlying disorder prior to beginning ECT.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

ECT in the Treatment of Organic Psychosis in Huntington's Disease.

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by choreiform movements, dementia, and psychiatric symptoms. The psychiatric symptoms often lead to long-term psychiatric hospitalization. We report the case of a 49-year-old woman with HD of 1 year's duration who presented with an organic psychotic syndrome with voices telling her to kill herself or her children. The psychosis was refractory to neuroleptic treatment (up to 1,250 mg chlorpromazine equivalents per day). Depressive symptoms emerged but were neither of a magnitude nor of a duration to suggest a major affective disorder. Nonetheless, we treated the patient empirically with antidepressants, which had to be discontinued because of symptomatic orthostatic hypotension. Based on the persistent psychosis with suicidal and homicidal ideation and possible long-term state psychiatric hospitalization, we recommended electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). ECT was successful in treating the psychosis as well as the depressive symptoms. There was no worsening of the patient's dementia and only a slight progression in her choreiform movements. The authors question whether ECT may be of benefit in treating the psychosis of HD in the presence or absence of depressive symptoms and call for further research to determine if the use of ECT in HD patients with psychosis could prevent, or at least delay, placement in a long-term psychiatric hospital.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1987

ECT and Anticoagulation.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective and safe treatment for depression. Anticoagulation therapy is used to reduce morbidity or mortality from stroke or recurrent pulmonary embolus in various cardiac and vascular conditions. We report in detail the successful ECT treatment of a patient suffering from major depression with psychotic features who continued warfarin (Coumadin) anticoagulant therapy.

Journal Article↗