Abnormal Electrocardiographic Effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants

Abstract

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The paper aims to review ECG and effects of Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) on ECG. ECG is the recording of the electrical conductivity of heart made by placing electrodes on the body. Antidepressants have lethal neurological and cardiovascular effects in depressive persons. TCA can cause abnormalities in the ECG pattern. It affects the conduction rate and slows the heart beat by blocking sodium channels that cause the elongation of QST complex which leads to abnormalities. QT is prolonged if > 440ms in men and > 460ms in women. Due to TCA, QT > 500ms that causes abnormalities. Brugada syndrome is also obtained by exposure to TCA. Doxepin slows down the conduction rate in patients with major depressive disorders. TCA causes symptomatic A-V blockage in patients with preexisting cardiovascular diseases. Desipramine and Immipramine cause sudden death in 6-9 years old children due to an overdose of these drugs. Antidepressants such as Agomelatine, Paroxetine, Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors cause cardiac deformities in patients as well as pregnant women. Abnormality in ECG tells us about problems in the rhythmicity of heart. ECG can be used for the assessment of drugs that have electrophysiological effects.