Atropine Sulfate Premedication and Cardiac Arrhythmia in Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT).

Prophylactic effects of atropine sulfate as a premedication for cardiac arrhythmia were studied in 44 patients receiving electroconvulsive therapy in a randomized, cross-over, double-blind design. Cardiac rhythms were recorded with Holter monitors during atropine sulfate and placebo treatments. Vagal arrhythmia seemed to be reduced with atropine sulfate premedication, but the frequency of ventricular arrhythmia was not affected.