Electrocardiographic Effects of Desipramine and 2-Hydroxydesipramine in Children, Adolescents, and Adults Treated with Desipramine

To assess the developmental effects of desipramine (DMI) treatment on the electrocardiogram (ECG), we investigated serum concentrations of DMI ([DMI]), and its major active metabolite 2-hydroxy-desipramine ([OHDMI]) and ECG parameters. ECGs and [DMI] and [OHDMI] were analyzed from 50 children, 39 adolescents, and 30 adult psychiatric patients receiving DMI. There were modest overall correlations between [DMI], [OHDMI], or [OHDMI+DMI], and the PR and QRS intervals when data from all 119 subjects were pooled. Within the pediatric age groups there were no significant associations between serum drug levels and heart rate or conduction intervals; and in all subjects with ECG abnormalities, there were some findings of higher [DMI], [OHDMI], and [OHDMI + DMI]. These findings indicate that only modest associations of [DMI] and [OHDMI] with ECG conduction intervals were found, and are not likely to be clinically significant in any of the age groups studied. Compared with adults, children and adolescents do not appear to be at increased risks for ECG changes related to DMI treatment or to circulating concentrations of [DMI] or [OHDMI].