title: Effects of atomoxetine on cardiovascular functions and on QT dispersion in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atomoxetine is a central norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The effects of atomoxetine on cardiovascular functions and QT dispersion in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to analyse cardiovascular functions and QT dispersion on the surface electrocardiogram of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder during atomoxetine therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 40 children - with a mean age of 8.6 plus or minus 2.3 years and a median age of 11 years; ranged from 8 to 14 years - with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder - with six girls and 34 boys - were included in the study. We recorded the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, corrected QT interval, QT dispersion, and left ventricular systolic functions at baseline and 5 weeks after atomoxetine therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Atomoxetine decreased baseline mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure; baseline mean heart rate decreased; and baseline mean corrected QT interval and QT dispersion mildly increased. Atomoxetine decreased baseline mean ejection fraction and baseline mean shortening fraction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our study suggest that atomoxetine does not cause clinically significant alterations in QT dispersion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, corrected QT interval, and left ventricular systolic functions during short-term treatment in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey. ahmetsert2@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sert
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gokcen
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aypar
authors.forename: Dursun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Odabas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002320:Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011437:Propylamines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014421:Turkey
chemical_list: D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D011437:Propylamines; D000069445:Atomoxetine Hydrochloride