Increase of Heart Rate and QTc by Amitriptyline, but Not by Venlafaxine, is Correlated to Serum Concentration

Unterecker S, Pfuhlmann B, Kopf J, Kittel-Schneider S, Reif A, Deckert J (2015)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2015

Journal

Book Volume: 35

Pages Range: 460-463

Journal Issue: 4

DOI: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000000336

Abstract

Electrocardiographic pathologies are a common problem during antidepressant treatment. The authors investigated the association of serum concentrations of antidepressants and heart rate, QT, and QTc. Polymorphisms of NOS1AP (nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein) rs10494366 and rs12143842 as potential influence factors also were considered. In the amitriptyline sample (n = 59), significant Spearman ρ correlations were found between serum concentration and QTc (r = 0.333, P = 0.010), as well as heart rate (r = 0.407, P = 0.001). Patients with a serum concentration greater than the therapeutic range (>200 ng/mL) exhibit significantly higher heart rates (87.0 ± 13.3 vs 80.0 ± 13.9, U test P = 0.011) and higher QTc values (443.8 ± 28.8 vs 427.9 ± 20.6, U test P = 0.022). Excluding the 26 patients with a serum concentration greater than the therapeutic range, patients with rs12143842 risk alleles exhibit higher heart rates and as a trend lower QT intervals with no difference in QTc. In the venlafaxine sample (n = 81), no significant association between serum concentration and heart rate, QT, or QTc was revealed. In summary, the risk for relevant electrocardiographic alterations induced by tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, is dependent on serum concentrations. NOS1AP polymorphisms may be a genetic vulnerability factor.

Involved external institutions

How to cite

APA:

Unterecker, S., Pfuhlmann, B., Kopf, J., Kittel-Schneider, S., Reif, A., & Deckert, J. (2015). Increase of Heart Rate and QTc by Amitriptyline, but Not by Venlafaxine, is Correlated to Serum Concentration. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, 35(4), 460-463. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCP.0000000000000336

MLA:

Unterecker, Stefan, et al. "Increase of Heart Rate and QTc by Amitriptyline, but Not by Venlafaxine, is Correlated to Serum Concentration." Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology 35.4 (2015): 460-463.

BibTeX: Download