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Effects of atomoxetine on cardiovascular functions and on QT dispersion in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 August 2011

Ahmet Sert ,
Cem Gokcen ,
Ebru Aypar  and
Dursun Odabas
Ahmet Sert*
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Cem Gokcen
Affiliation:
Medical Faculty, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Ebru Aypar
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
Dursun Odabas
Affiliation:
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey
*
Correspondence to: Dr A. Sert, Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Konya Training and Research Hospital, 42080, Konya, Turkey. Tel: +90 332 323 67 09, Fax:+90 332 323 6723; E-mail: ahmetsert2@hotmail.com
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Abstract

Background

Atomoxetine is a central norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The effects of atomoxetine on cardiovascular functions and QT dispersion in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have not been previously reported. The aim of this study was to analyse cardiovascular functions and QT dispersion on the surface electrocardiogram of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder during atomoxetine therapy.

Methods

A total of 40 children – with a mean age of 8.6 plus or minus 2.3 years and a median age of 11 years; ranged from 8 to 14 years – with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder – with six girls and 34 boys – were included in the study. We recorded the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, corrected QT interval, QT dispersion, and left ventricular systolic functions at baseline and 5 weeks after atomoxetine therapy.

Results

Atomoxetine decreased baseline mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure; baseline mean heart rate decreased; and baseline mean corrected QT interval and QT dispersion mildly increased. Atomoxetine decreased baseline mean ejection fraction and baseline mean shortening fraction.

Conclusion

The results of our study suggest that atomoxetine does not cause clinically significant alterations in QT dispersion, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, corrected QT interval, and left ventricular systolic functions during short-term treatment in children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Keywords

Echocardiographynorepinephrine reuptake inhibitorQT interval

Information

Type
Original Articles
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 22 , Issue 2 , 02 March 2012 , pp. 158 - 161
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

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