Cardiomyopathy associated with tricyclic antidepressants

Abstract

Nine other cases of cardiomyopathy in patients taking tricyclic antidepressants have been reported. The patient we have described had been taking tricyclic antidepressants for years before cardiomyopathy developed. While a cause-and-effect relationship between tricyclic antidepressants and cardiomyopathy cannot be proven, physicians should keep in mind the association and discontinue the medication if cardiomyopathy develops. Further, tricyclic antidepressants should be used with great caution in patients with cardiomyopathy because of possible risk of ventricular fibrillation.