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Treatment of depression in patients with congestive heart failure

Peter A Shapiro1

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia University Medical Center, Columbia University, 622 W. 168 St., Box 427, New York, NY 10032, USA. pas3@columbia.edu

Heart Failure Reviews
|October 24, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Depression is common in heart failure patients. Psychotherapy and antidepressants show modest effectiveness for treating depression, but their impact on cardiac outcomes requires further study.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent condition.
  • Depression frequently co-occurs with heart failure, increasing patient burden.
  • Existing evidence suggests safe and modestly effective treatments for depression in HF.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current evidence on treating depression in heart failure patients.
  • To highlight first-line treatment options for comorbid depression and HF.
  • To identify gaps in knowledge regarding the impact of depression treatment on cardiac outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on depression treatment in heart failure.
  • Analysis of evidence for psychotherapy and antidepressant efficacy.
  • Evaluation of the impact of treatment on cardiac outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Psychotherapy and antidepressants are considered safe and modestly effective for depression in HF.
  • Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy and selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors are primary treatment choices.
  • The effect of depression treatment on cardiac outcomes in HF patients remains undetermined.

Conclusions:

  • Depression is a significant concern in heart failure management.
  • Established treatments for depression offer modest benefits in HF patients.
  • Further research is needed to establish the cardiovascular benefits of treating depression in heart failure.

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