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P4‐213: Are cardiac effects of cholinesterase inhibitors important for the demented elderly?
Author(s) -
Isik Ahmet Turan,
Bozoglu Ergun,
Yay Adnan,
Soysal Pinar,
Yildiz Gulsen Babacan,
Mas M. Refik,
Celik Turgay
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2012.05.1918
Subject(s) - galantamine , rivastigmine , donepezil , cholinesterase , medicine , blood pressure , dementia , cholinergic , acetylcholinesterase , cardiology , disease , pharmacology , chemistry , biochemistry , enzyme
Background: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are currently considered to be the first line treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Although the target organ for cholinesterase inhibitors is the brain, they may adversely affect cardiac function, and their cholinergic side effects on the cardiovascular system are still unclear. In this study, it was aimed to examine the side effects caused by donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine on cardiac rhythm pulse pressure changes in in elderly patients with AD.Methods: 190 consecutive elderly patients with AD were enrolled the study. Elderly patients with AD divided into three groups according to ChEIs including donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine. The ECG parameters and pulse pressure were recorded at the baseline and 1 month after dose of 10 mg/d of donepezil, 10 cm2/d of rivastigmine and 24mg/d of galantamine.Results: 154 of 190 consecutive elderly patients completed the study. There were no significant changes relative to the baseline in any of the ECG parameters or pulse blood pressurewith any of the administered ChEIs (p>0.005 for each comparison) (Figure 1 and 2). Conclusions: It was demonstrated that none of the three ChEIs were associated with increased negative chronotropic, arrhythmogenic and none of them have changed pulse pressure in the elderly patients with AD. However, when physicians prescribe these drugs, they should be aware of the comorbidities, especially cardiac conduction disease and medications of the elderly patients.