ISSN:
1432-2072
Keywords:
Tricyclic antidepressant agents
;
Blood pressure
;
Cardiac output
;
Heart rate
;
Heart ventricle
;
Radionuclide imaging
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Eight patients with major depression but otherwise healthy underwent radionuclide cardiography before and during nortriptyline treatment. The second examination was performed when the nortriptyline plasma concentration was within the therapeutic range (60–150 μg·l−1). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular volumes, systolic pressure-volume ratio, and cardiac output were determined. Heart rate increased in mean by 13% (P〈0.05). All other variables were unchanged. We conclude that nortriptyline in therapeutic doses produces no major adverse effect on left ventricular function. Routine radionuclide cardiography might be a suitable method to detect among those treated with tricyclic antidepressants the occasional susceptible patient. This may particularly apply to patients with known heart disease and to elderly patients.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00518196
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