Abstract
Objective: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), used for recalcitrant psychiatric illnesses, is contraindicated in patients with cochlear implants (CI) because of potential risk of damage to the CI and/or the patient. With increasing numbers of CI recipients, ECT in this population warrants further study. Herein, we present a cadaveric study of such.
Method: Ten functional CIs were unilaterally implanted in fresh cadaveric heads. Each head then received 12 ECT treatments replicating a standard clinical treatment protocol. CI impedance testing was performed prior to and immediately after CI insertion, and then after the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 12th ECT treatments.
Results: Twelve rounds of ECT (800 mA per treatment) were performed on each of the implanted heads by a staff psychiatrist. Measured responses were typical to those encountered clinically. Impedance measurements after each ECT treatment did not show any increases. No open circuits developed because of ECT. After the first ECT treatment there was a trend toward decreased impedance measurements, which were sustained throughout the rest of the testing. Regarding ipsilateral vs contralateral application of ECT therapy, no statistically significant differences (all P > .5) in impedance measurements were noted.
Conclusion: ECT does not cause any electrically measureable damage to CIs via either ipsilateral or contralateral therapy. Coupled with case reports on the safety of ECT in patients with CIs and similar technology (ie, deep brainstimulators), this study suggests that ECT can be safely used in patients with CIs.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.