Cardiovascular toxicity and tricyclic antidepressants.

This article reviews the cardiovascular effects of the standard tricyclic antidepressants and what is known of the cardiovascular effects of the newer antidepressants. The cardiovascular effects of the standard tricyclics are orthostatic hypotension, conduction delay and a potent antiarrhythmic effect. Patients who have congestive heart failure and are on cardiac medications are at greatly increased risk for orthostatic hypotension, while patients who have pre-existing conduction delay are at risk for heart block.