Effects of desipramine on autonomic input to the heart.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the impact of age on the effects of desipramine (DMI) on autonomic input to the heart.


METHODS
Twenty-four-hour electrocardiograms were obtained from 42 subjects, aged 7 to 66 years, while off and on DMI. To obtain measures of autonomic input to the heart, heart rate variability was assessed via spectral analysis of RR interval variability.


RESULTS
DMI treatment was associated with a significant increase in 24-hour mean heart rate and significant decreases in RR interval variability in all spectral bands, including in the high-frequency band, which provides a measure of parasympathetic input to the heart. RR interval variability was greater in younger individuals both off and on DMI.


CONCLUSIONS
DMI treatment was associated with a marked decline in RR interval variability, indicating that DMI affects autonomic input to the heart. Specifically, DMI reduced parasympathetic input, which, in theory, may increase vulnerability to arrhythmias. However, the magnitude of DMI's impact on RR interval variability did not vary with age.
Walsh
B T
BT
Department of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, USA. btw1@columbia.edu
Greenhill
L L
LL
Giardina
E G
EG
Bigger
J T
JT
Waslick
B D
BD
Sloan
R P
RP
Bilich
K
K
Wolk
S
S
Bagiella
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D003891:Desipramine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D003891:Desipramine