Anesthesia management of electroconvulsive therapy at the late of pregnancy: A case report

Abstract

Objectives: Major maternal depression is well known as a morbid and common disorder with a prevalence of 12% in the third trimester of pregnancy. Psychotropic medications might not be quite safe in these cases. In addition, pharmacological resistance and any life-threatening conditions can appear with the acute need for an instant therapeutic response. In these cases, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) might be the only effective option. However, both clinicians and patients often feel hesitant to utilize ECT throughout pregnancy due to the lack of reliable literature. Case Presentation: The challenging case of a 26-year-old pregnant woman at the 37 weeks of gestation was presented with major depression, who achieved full symptomatic remission after ECT. The critical status of this case was well managed by ECT treatment. Through the follow-ups, it was found that she is under medical therapy and has a normal life now. She is taking care of her baby and her symptoms are controlled as well. Conclusions: Overall, ECT could be a safe and effective treatment at late pregnancy. Obviously, a multidisciplinary team approach is crucial for achieving the desired goals.