Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Incidence of Bradycardia in Patients with Dementia in the Veterans Affairs New England Healthcare System

Abstract

Using a large cohort, a modestly greater risk of bradycardia was found in patients with dementia taking ChE-Is than in those not taking these drugs. In patients taking donepezil, the risk of bradycardia may increase with increasing doses. Because of the potential clinical consequences, monitoring for bradycardia may be warranted in patients with dementia treated with ChE-Is.