title: Electrocardiogram changes and therapeutic desipramine and 2-hydroxy-desipramine concentrations in elderly depressives.
abstract: ECG parameters in elderly depressed in-patients were assessed during routine desipramine treatment. Significant changes (prolonged PR and PRS intervals and a decreased QTc interval) were found, related only to steady state concentrations of desipramine's major metabolite--2-hydroxy-desipramine. Potentially clinically significant changes developed in 40% of the patients. All serum drug concentrations were within therapeutic limits. Previous assurances about desipramines's cardiac safety in the elderly may need to be re-evaluated.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003891:Desipramine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003891:Desipramine; C028653:2-hydroxydesipramine