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PURLs: SSRIs for depression/heart failure patients? Not so fast
Jason Ricco1, Janice Benson2, Shailendra Prasad1
1University of Minnesota North Memorial Family Medicine Residency Program, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
The Journal of Family Practice
|September 2, 2017
Summary
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) should not be initiated in patients with heart failure to improve cardiovascular outcomes. This study demonstrates no benefit for this patient population.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Depression is common in patients with heart failure.
- Selective serotonin reuptuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed for depression.
- The impact of SSRIs on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes in heart failure patients is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of initiating SSRIs in patients with heart failure for improving cardiovascular disease outcomes.
Main Methods:
- This study analyzed data from patients diagnosed with both depression and heart failure.
- The study compared cardiovascular outcomes between patients who initiated SSRI treatment and those who did not.
Main Results:
- Initiating SSRIs in depressed patients with heart failure did not demonstrate any significant improvement in cardiovascular outcomes.
- No evidence suggests that SSRIs positively affect CVD outcomes in this specific patient group.
Conclusions:
- The practice of starting SSRIs in depressed patients with heart failure solely to influence CVD outcomes is not supported by this evidence.
- Clinicians should reconsider the use of SSRIs for this indication based on the lack of demonstrated cardiovascular benefits.
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