Comparative study of the effects of the commonly used antidepressants on the cardiovascular system

ABSTRACT

This study included 120 patients with major depressive disorder, divided into three groups. Group I 60 patients received tricyclic antidepressants [half of them were put on amitriptyline and the other half on imipramine]. Group II 30 patients received tetracyclic antidepressant maprotiline. Group III 30 patients received mononamine oxidase inhibitor tranylcypromine. Before and after 6 weeks of treatment, all patients were submitted to [a] Measurement of blood pressure [both supine and standing] and [b] EGG. The results revealed 1-Tricyclic antidepressants [amitriptyline and imipramine] have significant effects on ECG [increase in heart rate, prolongation of P-R interval and QTc time]. 2-Imipramine has significant increasing effect on the degree of orthostatic hypotension while the other 3 drugs have non-significant increase. 3- The only significant cardiovascular effect of maprotiline was decreased amplitude of T-wave. 4- Tranylcypromine was the least cardiotoxic [except significant lowering of supine blood pressure]