Cardiac structure and function in schizophrenia: cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Psychiatry
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Heart disease is the primary cause of death in individuals with schizophrenia.
• Research on cardiac function in schizophrenia is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate cardiac structure and function in schizophrenia patients using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR).
• To exclude medical and metabolic comorbidities before assessment.

Main Methods:

• 80 participants (schizophrenia patients and controls) underwent CMR.
• Biventricular volumes, function, blood pressure, physical activity, and glycated hemoglobin were measured.
• Participants were matched for age, gender, ethnicity, and body surface area.

Main Results:

• Schizophrenia patients had significantly smaller indexed left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and stroke volumes compared to controls.
• LV ejection fractions remained unaltered.
• LV concentricity and septal thickness were significantly larger in patients, with mean concentricity exceeding the reference range.
• Findings were independent of smoking, exercise, medication dose, and duration.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with schizophrenia demonstrate concentric cardiac remodelling compared to matched controls.
• This cardiac remodelling may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular mortality in schizophrenia.
• Future research should explore the impact of antipsychotic medications on these cardiac changes.