Cardiomyopathy associated with clozapine.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of symptomatic cardiomyopathy induced during treatment with clozapine, an antipsychotic of the dibenzodiazepine class.


METHODS
A patient with a long psychiatric history significant for schizophrenia and no prior cardiac history developed dyspnea, malaise, and edema with a low ventricular ejection fraction during clozapine therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The literature concerning cardiorespiratory complications with clozapine therapy is reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiorespiratory complications associated with clozapine use are rare. Caution may be warranted in patients treated with other medications, such as benzodiazepines, and in patients with underlying cardiac disease.
Leo
R J
RJ
Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo 14215, USA.
Kreeger
J L
JL
Kim
K Y
KY
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine