Patients Using Psychotropic Drugs Have an Increased Risk of Dying Suddenly From an Acute Coronary Event
New study compares medication use of sudden cardiac death victims and heart attack survivors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ann-Marie White
Heart Rhythm Society
(202) 464-3476
awhite@hrsonline.org

Lucy McDonald: (202) 306-3456
Heart Rhythm 2009 Press Room: (617) 954-3399 (number effective May 13-16, 2009)

BOSTON, May 14, 2009 — Common psychotropic medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants and benzodiazepines, may contribute to an increased risk of sudden death during an acute coronary event, according to a new study released today at Heart Rhythm 2009, the Heart Rhythm Society’s 30th Annual Scientific Sessions. This case-control study is the first of its kind to compare psychotropic medication use in heart attack survivors and victims of sudden cardiac death.

Led by Jussi Honkola, MD, at the University of Oulu, Finland, this prospective sub-study of Finnish Genetic Study of Arrhythmic Events (FinGesture) compared the medications of 321 sudden cardiac death victims due to an acute coronary event as confirmed by a medicolegal autopsy, with 609 patients surviving acute myocardial infarction (AMI), also known as a heart attack. Medication histories were examined from autopsy records and interviews with the victims’ relatives.

Findings reveal that victims of sudden cardiac death more frequently used medications compared to heart attack survivors respectively including:

• Antipsychotics (10.9 percent vs. 1.4 percent)
• Antidepressants (7.4 percent vs. 3.0 percent)
• Benzodiazepines (18.4 percent vs. 5.0 percent)

The study also found more frequent use of beta blockers and aspirin among AMI survivors when compared to those that experienced sudden cardiac death.

“Our study shows that medications may negatively impact a person’s chance of surviving an acute coronary event such as a heart attack,” said Dr. Honkola. “With more people taking medications such as painkillers and antidepressants, the public needs to understand the potential risks and serious consequences.”

Session details:
“Psychotropic Medication and Sudden Cardiac Death Caused by an Acute Coronary Event” [May 14, 2009, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Exhibit Hall]

About Heart Rhythm 2009
Heart Rhythm 2009 takes place May 13-16 at the Boston Exhibition and Convention Center. The meeting is the most comprehensive educational event on heart rhythm disorders, offering approximately 250 educational opportunities in multiple formats. The world’s most renowned scientists and physicians will present a wide range of heart rhythm topics including cardiac resynchronization therapy, catheter ablation, cardiac pacing and heart failure as well as the latest technology, including state-of-the-art pacemakers and defibrillators.