New Study on Antidepressants & AF

[Barny12]

Interesting new trial underway in Australia on the use of a common (but unnamed) SSRI for the treatment of afib:

"Study coordinator and EP fellow, Dr Youlin Koh says despite multiple studies noting the relationship between symptoms of depression and AF, there is a need for further investigation to delineate the downstream impact of treating mental illness in AF patients.

“What we hope to achieve with this study is to examine the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on heart rhythm,” said Dr Koh. “The autonomic [fight or flight] nervous system is dysregulated in both AF and depression, and these serotonin-based antidepressants have shown improvements in autonomic function in patients with depression.

“We think that through autonomic regulation, they can also reduce AF episodes, showing a dual action on the brain and the heart."

Recruitment of 150 patients for the SAD-AF study is currently underway with final results not known until 2026 but preliminary findings could be available 12 months into the trial.

thermh.org.au/news/sad-af-w...

[RajaRua]

during Covid lockdown 2021 I was experiencing severe anxiety and my AFib was going mad. I had never thought I’d say yes to an SSRI but I did. Within a few months my a fib totally calmed down. I’m still on the SSRI and a fib remains pretty stable. Wouldn’t test it by drinking alcohol or caffeine though. Would love to come off the SSRI as I notice I’m a bit numb emotionally. But I’m too scared in case my AFib goes off again. I take Lexapro 15mgs I sleep better too. I saw a documentary on bbc1 some months ago about SSRI’s and they were saying they’re quite difficult to come off of. Anyone on here have any experience of them they’re prepared to share?

[Barny12 in reply to RajaRua]

I managed to slowly wean myself off Sertraline over a period of about 6 months a few years ago, so I know it can be done without too much hassle. AF kicked off shortly afterwards though, so needless to say I went straight back on them!

[RajaRua in reply to Barny12]

Thanks for sharing that Barny. The thing Is I still suffer with some anxiety. But I guess who doesn’t during these crazy time we live in!!

[Lenaropes]

This is very interesting. As a retired RN I am always looking at the latest and greatest new studies on AFib. I really am convinced many AFib episodes for patients are a symptom rather than a cardiac cause. I feel so impelled to find an answer.