October 1, 1992Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology
Effects of Yohimbine on Heart Rate Variability in Panic Disorder Patients and Normal Controls
Why the study?
Does yohimbine affect heart rate variability differently in panic disorder patients compared to normal controls?
Population
13 patients with panic disorder and 13 normal controls (n=26)
Comparison
Yohimbine vs Normal controls and pre-yohimbine baseline
Design
Case-control
Authors
Discussion
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Implication
Supports autonomic hypersensitivity in panic disorder; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change practice.
Key Points
- To evaluate the autonomic effects of yohimbine on heart rate variability in patients with panic disorder compared to healthy controls.
- Administered yohimbine to 13 normal controls and 13 patients with panic disorder.
- Measured heart rate variability parameters, including standard deviation of heart rate and absolute midfrequency power (0.07–0.15 Hz), in standing posture before and after administration.
- Yohimbine significantly increased the standard deviation of standing heart rate in both panic disorder patients (p = 0.01) and normal controls (p = 0.025).
- Panic disorder patients showed a significant increase in standing absolute midfrequency power post-administration (p = 0.002).
- The post- to pre-yohimbine ratio of standing midfrequency power was significantly greater in panic disorder patients than in controls (2.3 ± 1.08 vs. 1.33 ± 0.38, p = 0.01).
Structured PICO
Does yohimbine affect heart rate variability differently in panic disorder patients compared to normal controls?
P
Population
13 patients with panic disorder and 13 normal controls (n=26)
I
Intervention
Yohimbine
C
Comparator
Normal controls (between-group comparison) and pre-yohimbine baseline (within-group comparison)
O
Outcome
Heart rate (HR) variability (including SD of HR and absolute midfrequency power)surrogate
Panic disorder patients demonstrate an increased autonomic responsivity to the adrenergic effects of yohimbine compared to normal controls, as measured by heart rate variability.
Cite This Study
Yeragani et al. (1992) studied this question.