[Antidepressive medication in older patients with cardiovascular ailments]

The study of depression in the old-aged entails a thorough knowledge of the peculiarities of aging process in a somatopsychic correlation. The epidemiologic, etiopathogenic, semiologic, clinic and therapeutic aspects of depressive states in the old-aged are discussed. Caution is needed when administering antidepressants in the aged patients with cardiovascular affections, the organic, affections and side-effects restricting their use. The authors' experience in the clinical use of antidepressants underlines the need of a through somatic evaluation, by repeated biomedical investigations according to a well defined program, aimed to ensure a correct individualization of psychology and treatment duration, as well as of the treatment of choice in relation with this indications, counterindications and side-effects.