Heart Rate Variability in Elderly Patients Before and After Electroconvulsive Therapy

Earlier studies have found major depression to be associated with increased cardiac mortality, hypothesized to result from reduced vagal modulation. Since reduced heart rate variability is part of normal aging, depression might predispose elderly patients to a higher risk. The authors investigated c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American journal of geriatric psychiatry 2001, Vol.9 (3), p.255-260
Main Authors: Nahshoni, Eitan, Aizenberg, Dov, Sigler, Mayanit, Zalsman, Gil, Strasberg, Boris, Imbar, Shula, Weizman, Abraham
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Antidepressive Agents - therapeutic use
Depression
Depressive Disorder, Major - drug therapy
Depressive Disorder, Major - therapy
Electrocardiogram
Electrocardiography
Electroconvulsive Therapy - adverse effects
Electroconvulsive Therapy - methods
Female
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Older Adults
Risk Factors
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
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Summary:Earlier studies have found major depression to be associated with increased cardiac mortality, hypothesized to result from reduced vagal modulation. Since reduced heart rate variability is part of normal aging, depression might predispose elderly patients to a higher risk. The authors investigated cardiac autonomic modulation, using spectral analysis, in 11 elderly depressed inpatients before and after electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Cardiac vagal modulation increased significantly after ECT and was associated with symptom improvement, assessed by a significant decrease in the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Further research is needed to elucidate the relationship between depression, autonomic modulation, and clinical risks in elderly patients.
ISSN:1064-7481
1545-7214
DOI:10.1097/00019442-200108000-00009