title: Sudden cardiac death secondary to antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs.
abstract: A number of antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs are known to increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Based largely on a concern over QT prolongation and the development of life-threatening arrhythmias, a number of antipsychotic drugs have been temporarily or permanently withdrawn from the market or their use restricted. Some antidepressants and antipsychotics have been linked to QT prolongation and the development of Torsade de pointes arrhythmias, whereas others have been associated with a Brugada syndrome phenotype and the development of polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias. This review examines the mechanisms and predisposing factors underlying the development of cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, associated with antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs in clinical use.
authors.affiliation: Masonic Medical Research Laboratory, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, New York, NY 13501-1787, USA.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sicouri
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antzelevitch
mesh_terms: D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D053840:Brugada Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000209:etiology*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000502:physiology; D008133:Long QT Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D016171:Torsades de Pointes / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007473:Ion Channels