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Cardiomyopathy associated with clozapine
R J Leo1, J L Kreeger, K Y Kim
1Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo 14215, USA.
Objective:
To report a case of symptomatic cardiomyopathy induced during treatment with clozapine, an antipsychotic of the dibenzodiazepine class.
Case Summary:
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.
Discussion:
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.