title: Cardiovascular safety of stimulant medications for pediatric attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurobehavioral disorder that is often treated with stimulants such as methylphenidate and mixed amphetamine salts. Despite their efficacy and long history of use, there is concern about their potential for adverse cardiovascular effects in children and adolescents. Data from placebo-controlled and open-label extension trials published after 2000 were reviewed, and cardiovascular adverse event data were compared. Both placebo-controlled and open-label extension trials have repeatedly shown stimulant-induced increases in mean blood pressure, heart rate, and QT interval in children, adolescents, and adults. Although these increases seem relatively minor, their existence raises questions regarding whether stimulants could influence the likelihood of sudden death or other serious cardiovascular consequences, especially in patients with underlying heart problems. Moreover, questions have been raised regarding the necessity of screening patients for occult or unrecognized heart problems that are felt to be adversely affected by stimulant use. Obtaining a baseline electrocardiogram for any patient starting stimulant treatment is reasonable if access to such screening is readily available and not too costly.
authors.affiliation: New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, USA. RaulSilvaMD@gmail.com
authors.forename: Raul R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Skimming
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muniz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000662:Amphetamines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000187:drug effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008774:Methylphenidate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D000662:Amphetamines; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D008774:Methylphenidate