New Onset Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation After Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is a safe treatment for various psychiatric disorders. During an ECT treatment, an electrical stimulus produces a transient sympathetic response leading to changes in the cardiac rate and rhythm. Rarely, ECT treatment may precipitate atrial fibrillation (AF). In this case report, we present a 70-year-old man with schizoaffective disorder who developed paroxysmal AF after his 38th ECT treatment. We review his risk factors for AF and propose a possible mechanism of its development. We also discuss potential treatment options to safely resume ECT treatments.