title: Clozapine-induced myocarditis: recognizing a potentially fatal adverse reaction.
abstract: A 46-year-old man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia was admitted with a recurrence of psychotic symptoms. Improvement was noted after the initiation of clozapine. After 2 weeks of clozapine therapy, chest pressure and abnormal cardiac biomarkers (in the presence of a normal coronary angiogram) raised suspicion of myocarditis. That diagnosis was confirmed by means of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Discontinuation of the clozapine led to resolution of the cardiac symptoms. Clozapine-induced myocarditis is rare and can be missed for lack of specific clinical findings. In order to prevent disease progression and a possibly fatal outcome, early recognition of the condition and prompt discontinuation of clozapine are necessary.
authors: Jennifer L
authors: JL
authors: Hatton
authors: Pradeep K
authors: PK
authors: Bhat
authors: Sanjay
authors: S
authors: Gandhi
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009205:Myocarditis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012563:Schizophrenia, Paranoid / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine
keywords: Antipsychotic agents/adverse effects; cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; clozapine; myocarditis/chemically induced; schizophrenia/drug therapy