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The following is a summary of “Efficacy and safety of antidepressant in post-myocardial infarction associated depression: a meta-analysis and systematic review,” published in the April 2025 issue of BMC Psychiatry by Wan et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of antidepressants in post-myocardial infarction (MI)-associated depression. 

They searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Ovid, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library for studies before October 2024 on post-MI depression. Keywords included post- MI depression, antidepressants, MI, and depression. Pooled data were analyzed using Stata. 

The results showed 12 studies were included. No baseline difference in depression severity was found (SMD = -0.022, 95% CI: -0.087–0.044). Antidepressants significantly reduced depression scores after follow-up (SMD = -1.023, 95% CI: -1.671– -0.375). No significant increase in adverse cardiac events (HR = 0.893, 95% CI: 0.793–1.005), all-cause mortality (HR = 0.957, 95% CI: 0.699–1.311), or rehospitalization (HR = 1.070, 95% CI: 0.820–1.398) was observed. Antidepressants reduced MI recurrence (HR = 0.787, 95% CI: 0.693–0.894) and revascularization risk (HR = 0.858, 95% CI: 0.755–0.975). Moderate-certainty evidence supports symptom improvement; low-certainty evidence suggests cardiac benefit. 

Investigators found that antidepressants were effective and well-tolerated in treating post-MI depression. They improved symptoms without affecting long-term prognosis, with moderate-certainty evidence for symptom relief and low-certainty for MI recurrence reduction. 

Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-06843-y