Effect of imipramine treatment on heart rate variability measures.
Recently, heart rate (HR) variability has received considerable attention, and a decreased HR variability has been linked to a significant risk of cardiovascular illness. We have previously reported such a decreased variability in panic disorder patients. In this study, we report on HR variability in 12 depressed and 6 panic disorder patients at baseline and 1 and 3 weeks of treatment with imipramine as measured by the standard deviation, mean consecutive difference and the standard deviation of the mean consecutive difference of the R-R intervals in supine, supine deep breathing and standing postures. In all subjects, imipramine (mean dose: 70 mg/day) produced a significant decrease in heart rate variability at week 3 as measured by the above variables. This decrease in HR variability during imipramine treatment is probably due to its anticholinergic effects.
Yeragani
V K
VK
Department of Psychiatry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48207.
Pohl
R
R
Balon
R
R
Ramesh
C
C
Glitz
D
D
Weinberg
P
P
Merlos
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000379:Agoraphobia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D001143:Arousal / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007099:Imipramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011187:Posture
D007099:Imipramine