Age-Related Changes in Cardiovascular Function Associated with Electroconvulsive Therapy.

The relationship between hemodynamic changes induced by electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and age was studied in 13 patients. Their average age was 43 years (range 20-64 years). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, and rate-pressure product (RPP) all increased significantly following ECT. There was an inverse relationship between age and the magnitude of the chronotropic response, the percentage increase in diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, and the RPP. Duration of the electroencephalographic and motor seizures was also inversely related to age.