Possibilities of anxiety-depressive disorders treatment in patients with chronic heart failure

Abstract

Aim. To study the efficacy and safety of D-, L-gopantenic acid/Pantogam active in the complex treatment of congestive heart failure and coronary heart disease in patients with symptoms of anxiety-depressive disorder. Patients and methods. 82 patients with NYHA II-II heart failure, anxiety and depression were enrolled in the study. Material and methods. The severity of psychological disorders and the efficacy of 8-week therapy with Pantogam active were assessed using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), State Trait Anxiety Index (STAI), and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Scale. The quality of life was evaluated using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Health Survey. Global improvement or change of psychological symptoms by CGI Scale were considered as efficacy criteria. Standard diagnostic tools, i. e., echocardiography and 24-hour Holter monitoring, were applied as well. Results. 8-week treatment with Pantogam active of patients with heart failure and depression greatly reduces the severity of anxiety-depressive disorders, improves physical activity tolerance and vegetative regulation of heart rhythm, and decreases heart rate in supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Conclusions. In heart failure patients, anxiety-depressive disorders are accompanied by significant disturbances of heart rhythm vegetative regulation, development of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias, physical activity intolerance, increased hospital admission rate, and decreased quality of life. 8-week treatment with Pantogam active due to its bimodal action significantly improves these symptoms and the quality of life.