Heart rate variability in children with tricyclic antidepressant intoxication

Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) intoxication is among the most common causes of poisonings in our country. The TCA group of drugs affects the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, resulting in severe arrhythmia and death. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a non-invasive assessment method that allows evaluation of the cardiac autonomic (sympathetic and parasympathetic) activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate HRV in children requiring ICU stay due to TCA poisoning.