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Review
. 2018 Jun;9(6):297-308.
doi: 10.1177/2042098618772979. Epub 2018 May 4.

Evaluating the risk of QTc prolongation associated with antidepressant use in older adults: a review of the evidence

Matthew P Rochester  1 , Allison M Kane  1 , Sunny Anne Linnebur  2 , Danielle R Fixen  3
Affiliations
Review

Evaluating the risk of QTc prolongation associated with antidepressant use in older adults: a review of the evidence

Matthew P Rochester et al. Ther Adv Drug Saf. 2018 Jun.

Abstract

Antidepressants are widely used medications for a range of medical conditions such as mood disorders and chronic pain in older adults. A vast body of evidence exists concerning the risks of QT interval prolongation associated with these agents and healthcare providers should critically evaluate the potential for QT prolongation when selecting antidepressant agents. Long QT syndrome is a disorder of myocardial repolarization that manifests as a prolonged QT interval on an electrocardiogram (ECG) and has been demonstrated to increase with age. The objective of this review is to present and evaluate existing literature regarding the risk of QT prolongation in older adults, age 60 years and older, and discuss the implications for clinical practice. A PubMed search was conducted to identify studies evaluating the QT prolonging effects of antidepressant medications and publications were chosen based on pertinent criteria. Depending on the antidepressant agent and patient-specific factors, clinicians should assess and monitor electrolytes and EGCs to evaluate the risks and benefits for older adults receiving agents known to prolong the QT interval.

Keywords: QT prolongation; QTc interval; antidepressants; antidepressive agents; elderly; long QT syndrome; long QT syndrome/chemically induced; older adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Summary of search results and study inclusion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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