The effect of modified ECT on serum creatine phophokinase, I. With intravenous atropine.

Interpretation of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels is frequently difficult because of complicating circumstances known themselves to raise CPK; for instance, intramuscular injections. One such circumstance among psychiatric patients is said to be administration of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). In a series of 22 patients who received drug modified ECT, four had CPK elevations beyond the normal range. These findings indicate that CPK elevations among patients receiving ECT should be interpreted cautiously.