Quetiapine-induced Bradycardia and Hypotension in the Elderly-A Case Report

Quetiapine is increasingly used for the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly patients. Among the many potential side effects of second-generation antipsychotics, the sudden onset of cardiac abnormality is a particularly important side effect to consider due its fatal implications. Elderly patients may be particularly vulnerable to these cardiac-related side effects due to the likelihood that they have multiple existing health conditions (e.g., heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes) as well as age-related changes in their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and differences in their receptor binding profiles. We present a case of an elderly man with a history of heart disease who developed symptomatic bradycardia and hypotension simultaneously while taking quetiapine. After dose reduction and withdrawal of quetiapine, a time sequential improvement of bradycardia and hypotension monitored by repeated electrocardiogram and blood pressure checks suggests a relationship between the higher dosage of quetiapine and cardiac abnormalities. Other factors such as aging itself and chronic heart failure might be associated with cardiac distress. Elderly patients on quetiapine, particularly at higher dosages, should be continually and closely monitored for any symptoms of cardiac distress.