The urgency of depression treatment in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is determined by the increasing prevalence of affective disorders. For these patients, tolerance and safety of antidepressants are of great importance.

To obtain additional data on therapeutic efficacy and tolerance of agomelatine in the treatment of mild to moderate depressive disorders in cardiologic practice in Russia.

Eight hundred and ninety-six adult patients with CVD (86.5% arterial hypertension, 29.5% stable angina, 16% myocardial infarction, 23.6% conduction disturbances, 17.6% chronic heartfailure) were treated with agomelatine 25-50 mg for 12 weeks. Depression and anxiety symptoms were evaluated via Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI-S and CGI-I), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Spielberger Anxiety Scale (SAS), Whitely Hypochondria Index (WHI) and quality of life questionnaire (SF-36). Safety and tolerance were also monitored according to the summary of product characteristics recommendations.

HADS scores decreased throughout the study and severe anxiety rate decreased from 95.9% to 15%. After 12 weeks of treatment, remission (HADS < 7) rate was 84.6%. Subjective assessment of patient health significantly improved (P < 0.00001). WHI decreased significantly (P < 0.00001). Physical and mental health significantly improved (P < 0.00001). Heart rate and blood pressure decreased. Treatment acceptability was considered “excellent” by 82% of doctors and 75% of patients.

Agomelatine significantly improved depressive symptoms, anxiety and hypochondria in depressed patients with CVD and demonstrated good tolerance. This suggests the possibility of wide and safe use of agomelatine for treatment of depression in patients with CVD.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.