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Depression and cardiovascular disease: does antidepressant treatment improve cardiac outcome?

Damien Gallagher1

  • 1St John of God Hospital, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin.

Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
|October 7, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Antidepressant treatment for patients with cardiovascular disease and depression shows mixed results. Current evidence does not support using depression treatment to reduce cardiovascular risk.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Psychiatry
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • The link between depression and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is established.
  • Epidemiological data suggest a connection, prompting interventional studies.
  • The efficacy of antidepressant treatment in CVD patients with depression requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on antidepressant treatment in CVD patients.
  • To explore the implications of these trials for future research directions.

Main Methods:

  • A MEDLINE search was conducted using terms 'depressive disorder' and 'cardiovascular diseases'.
  • Included were RCTs published in English with clear methods and interventions.
  • Additional studies were identified through reference sections of relevant articles.

Main Results:

  • A limited number of high-quality trials were identified.
  • Results regarding the treatment of depression in CVD patients were mixed.
  • No statistically significant differences in cardiac outcomes were observed across the trials.

Conclusions:

  • Current evidence does not support recommending depression treatment to reduce cardiovascular risk.
  • Depression is common in CVD patients and is a treatable cause of morbidity.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the role of antidepressant therapy in managing CVD patients with depression.
Abstract

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