Arrhythmias & electrophysiologyCohort study
Antidepressant treatment duration and risk of sudden cardiac death: A nationwide cohort study
- nationwide cohort study
Authors' conclusion
Long-term AD treatment was associated with increased SCD risk in a duration- and recency-dependent manner across major drug classes. Although causality cannot be inferred, these findings identify patients receiving prolonged AD therapy as a population at elevated cardiovascular risk, warranting further investigation.
Study context
- Population
- Danish residents aged 18–90 years during 2010Danish residents, 6002 sudden cardiac death (SCDs)
- Participants
- 4.3 million residents
- Exposure
- AD use categorized by cumulative duration and recency
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SCDs occurring in AD users
SCDs in AD users, among 6002 SCDs
1907 (32%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
SCD by cumulative duration of AD use
| Comparison | adjusted HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-5 years | 1.41 (1.31–1.51) | |
| ≥6 years | 1.74 (1.59–1.90) | |
| 0.512Adjusted hazard ratio (log scale) |
SCD by recency of AD use
| Comparison | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| current users | 1.71 (1.59–1.83) | |
| recent | 1.24 (1.09–1.42) | |
| remote users | 1.11 (0.97–1.27) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
SCD by drug class and duration
| Comparison | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, 1-5 years | 1.38 (1.28–1.49) | |
| selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, ≥6 years | 1.57 (1.42–1.75) | |
| tricyclic ADs, 1-5 years | 1.24 (1.09–1.42) | |
| tricyclic ADs, ≥6 years | 1.40 (1.15–1.71) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
SCD by recency of AD use
- A temporal gradient emerged: current users showed the highest risk
SCD by drug class and duration
- Associations were consistent across drug classes
Original publication
Antidepressant treatment duration and risk of sudden cardiac death: A nationwide cohort study. Heart Rhythm. Published 12 March 2026. doi:10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.03.006
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it