Imipramine induced ECG changes in rabbits

ABSTRACT

An uncontrolled In-vivo study was conducted to assess alterations in heart rate, QT interval and QRS complex duration in male chinchilla rabbits. Animals [n=10] were treated with 25mg/5ml/day imipramine, through oral route of administration for five days. The electrocardiographic tracings were recorded by needle electrodes in all conscious animals first before and then after drug administration, following every day up to five days. It showed cardiotoxic effects like QT interval prolongation in addition to significant widening of QRS complex, along with decrease in heart rate. Because of these cardiotoxic effects prescribing imipramine to patients with prominent cardiovascular risk factors desires added attentiveness