Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias01:16

ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias I: Sinus Arrhythmias

Arrhythmias are disturbances in the heart's rhythm that lead to abnormal heartbeats. These irregularities can originate from different parts of the heart and are classified based on their origin and nature.
Types of Arrhythmias
Sinus Node Arrhythmias
Sinus Bradycardia: Originating from the sinoatrial (SA) node, sinus bradycardia involves slower impulses, resulting in a heart rate of less than 60 beats per minute (bpm). Causes include sleep, vagal stimulation, beta-blockers, hypothyroidism, and...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents01:17

Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents

Sedatives and hypnotics encompass a wide range of substances, each with its unique mechanism of action, uses, and potential adverse effects.
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone01:29

Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone

Benzodiazepines are a class of anxiolytic drugs known for their rapid efficacy and high therapeutic-to-lethal dose ratio, but with a potential risk of drug dependence. These drugs are lipophilic, allowing for rapid absorption after oral administration, eventually reaching the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, benzodiazepines bind to the allosteric site of the GABAA receptor. This binding enhances the inhibitory effects of the neurotransmitter GABA. By doing so, they prevent...
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias01:18

Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias

Bradyarrhythmias are cardiac rhythm disorders characterized by a slower-than-normal heart rate, typically defined as fewer than 60 beats per minute. Some of which are discussed here:Sinus BradycardiaSinus bradycardia presents a heart rate lower than 60 beats per minute, with a regular rhythm originating from the SA node. The ECG typically shows normal P waves preceding each QRS complex, a normal PR interval (0.12 to 0.20 seconds), and a normal QRS duration (0.06 to 0.10 seconds).First-Degree AV...
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs01:28

Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs), including Desipramine (Norpramin), Imipramine (Tofranil), Clomipramine (Anafranil), and Amitriptyline (Elavil), inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake and also block other receptors. They are used for depression, pain conditions, and insomnia. Common adverse effects include anticholinergic effects, sedation, orthostatic hypotension, and weight gain. They have a narrow therapeutic window and so require plasma-level monitoring. Abrupt discontinuation can...
Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators01:20

Antiepileptic Drugs: Potassium Channel Activators

Ezocgabine or retigabine, an antiepileptic drug of remarkable efficacy, has revolutionized the management of seizures. It is a potassium channel activator, explicitly targeting the family of Q subtype potassium channels. It enhances the transmembrane potassium currents, regulating neuronal excitability. This action stabilizes the resting membrane potential, a pivotal factor in mitigating the hyperexcitability that characterizes epilepsy.
Ezogabine has gained approval as an adjunctive treatment...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Beyond conventional mechanisms of prosthetic valve thrombosis: immune, genetic, hematologic, hormonal, and hemodynamic perspectives.

Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis·2026
Same author

Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of hemolysis in patients with prosthetic valve related paravalvular leaks.

Journal of artificial organs : the official journal of the Japanese Society for Artificial Organs·2026
Same author

Letter: Transcatheter paravalvular leak closure - insights on selection criteria, imaging, and comparative outcomes.

EuroIntervention : journal of EuroPCR in collaboration with the Working Group on Interventional Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology·2026
Same author

Long-term pediatric outcomes after first-trimester exposure to low-dose warfarin plus enoxaparin versus enoxaparin alone in pregnancies with mechanical heart valves: the KYBELE children study.

BMC cardiovascular disorders·2026
Same author

Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Cardiac Surgery: Clinical Applications, Decision-Making, and Impact on Outcomes.

Cardiology in review·2026
Same author

The emerging role of heparanase in cardiovascular diseases: Pathophysiology, clinical outcomes, and therapeutic perspectives.

Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
09:20

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice

Published on: July 5, 2021

Sinus arrest due to sertraline.

Gonenc Kocabay1, Mustafa Yildiz, Nilufer Eksi Duran

  • 1Kartal Kosuyolu Heart Education and Research Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Istanbul, Turkey. gonenckocabay@yahoo.com

Clinical Cardiology
|June 17, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sertraline, a common antidepressant, may rarely cause sinus arrest, a serious heart rhythm issue. This case report highlights a potential cardiac risk previously unreported for this selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor.

More Related Videos

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
04:29

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2026

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice
09:20

Microelectrode Array Recording of Sinoatrial Node Firing Rate to Identify Intrinsic Cardiac Pacemaking Defects in Mice

Published on: July 5, 2021

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression
04:29

Vagus Nerve Stimulation As an Adjunctive Neurostimulation Tool in Treatment-resistant Depression

Published on: January 7, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline are widely prescribed for depression.
  • Common sertraline side effects include nausea, insomnia, diarrhea, somnolence, and dizziness.
  • Cardiac adverse events, such as sinus arrest, are not commonly associated with sertraline in existing literature.

Observation:

  • A patient experiencing nausea, dizziness, and insomnia while on citalopram.
  • The patient's medication was switched to sertraline.
  • On the fourth day of sertraline treatment, the patient developed sinus arrest.

Findings:

  • Sertraline treatment was followed by the onset of sinus arrest.
  • This represents a potential, previously undocumented cardiac adverse effect of sertraline.
  • The patient's prior adverse reactions to citalopram may be relevant.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should be aware of the potential for rare cardiac events like sinus arrest with sertraline.
  • Further investigation into sertraline's cardiac safety profile, especially in patients with pre-existing conditions or on other psychotropic medications, is warranted.
  • This case underscores the importance of vigilant monitoring for adverse effects during antidepressant therapy.