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Qubad M, Dupont G, Hahn M, Martin SS, Puntmann V, Nagel E, Reif A, Bittner RA. When, Why and How to Re-challenge Clozapine in Schizophrenia Following Myocarditis. CNS Drugs 2024; 38:671-696. [PMID: 38951464 PMCID: PMC11316720 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-024-01100-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Clozapine-induced myocarditis (CIM) is among the most important adverse events limiting the use of clozapine as the most effective treatment for schizophrenia. CIM necessitates the immediate termination of clozapine, often resulting in its permanent discontinuation with considerable detrimental effects on patients' psychopathology and long-term outcome. Consequently, a clozapine re-challenge after CIM is increasingly regarded as a viable alternative, with published reports indicating a success rate of approximately 60%. However, published cases of re-challenges after CIM remain limited. Here, we provide a narrative review of the current state of research regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, diagnosis and clinical management of CIM as well as a synthesis of current recommendations for re-challenging patients after CIM. This includes a step-by-step guide for this crucial procedure based on the current evidence regarding the pathophysiology and risk factors for CIM. Slow dose titration regimes and addressing risk factors including concomitant valproate and olanzapine are crucial both to prevent CIM and to ensure a safe and successful re-challenge. Furthermore, we discuss the utility of C-reactive protein, troponin, N-terminal-pro hormone and brain natriuretic peptide, therapeutic drug-monitoring and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for CIM screening and diagnosis as well as for post-CIM re-challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mishal Qubad
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
| | - Gabriele Dupont
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Martina Hahn
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
- Department of Mental Health, Varisano Hospital Frankfurt Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Simon S Martin
- Department of Radiology, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Valentina Puntmann
- Department of Cardiology, Institute for Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Eike Nagel
- Department of Cardiology, Institute for Experimental and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Andreas Reif
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Robert A Bittner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute for Neuroscience (ESI) in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
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Qubad M, Bittner RA. Second to none: rationale, timing, and clinical management of clozapine use in schizophrenia. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2023; 13:20451253231158152. [PMID: 36994117 PMCID: PMC10041648 DOI: 10.1177/20451253231158152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its enduring relevance as the single most effective and important evidence-based treatment for schizophrenia, underutilization of clozapine remains considerable. To a substantial degree, this is attributable to a reluctance of psychiatrists to offer clozapine due to its relatively large side-effect burden and the complexity of its use. This underscores the necessity for continued education regarding both the vital nature and the intricacies of clozapine treatment. This narrative review summarizes all clinically relevant areas of evidence, which support clozapine's wide-ranging superior efficacy - for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) and beyond - and make its safe use eminently feasible. Converging evidence indicates that TRS constitutes a distinct albeit heterogeneous subgroup of schizophrenias primarily responsive to clozapine. Most importantly, the predominantly early onset of treatment resistance and the considerable decline in response rates associated with its delayed initiation make clozapine an essential treatment option throughout the course of illness, beginning with the first psychotic episode. To maximize patients' benefits, systematic early recognition efforts based on stringent use of TRS criteria, a timely offer of clozapine, thorough side-effect screening and management as well as consistent use of therapeutic drug monitoring and established augmentation strategies for suboptimal responders are crucial. To minimize permanent all-cause discontinuation, re-challenges after neutropenia or myocarditis should be considered. Owing to clozapine's unique efficacy, comorbid conditions including substance use and most somatic disorders should not dissuade but rather encourage clinicians to consider clozapine. Moreover, treatment decisions need to be informed by the late onset of clozapine's full effects, which for reduced suicidality and mortality rates may not even be readily apparent. Overall, the singular extent of its efficacy combined with the high level of patient satisfaction continues to distinguish clozapine from all other available antipsychotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mishal Qubad
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Robert A. Bittner
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Heinrich-Hoffmann-Str. 10, D-60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Ernst Strüngmann Institute (ESI) for Neuroscience in Cooperation with Max Planck Society, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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De Las Cuevas C, Arrojo-Romero M, Ruan CJ, Schoretsanitis G, Sanz EJ, de Leon J. Clozapine-induced myocarditis in children and adolescents: a pharmacovigilance study using VigiBase and a systematic literature review. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:715-727. [PMID: 36526610 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2160318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clozapine-induced myocarditis in children (age ≤18 yo) was studied from a PubMed search (18 July 2022) (9 cases) and from the World Health Organization's pharmacovigilance database, called Vigibase, of adverse drug reaction (ADR) reports (72 non-duplicated cases). VigiBase uses a logarithmic measure of disproportionality called the information component (IC). A logistic regression model of presence/absence (40/32) of seriousness in VigiBase was developed. AREAS COVERED VigiBase provided a significant myocarditis IC = 4.2 with an IC025 = 3.8; only 4 clozapine-induced myocarditis cases were expected, while 72 were observed. The PubMed search identified 9 cases, while VigiBase identified 72 cases (of which 67 did not overlap with published cases). These 76 combined cases included 35 doubtful (most with missing information on the day of diagnosis), 19 possible and 22 probable, according to the ADR scale. After adjusting for confounders, quetiapine increased the risk of seriousness with an odds ratio (OR) of 17.6 (95% confidence interval CI, 1.56 to 198.6), while Australian origin decreased it with an OR = 0.13 (CI, 0.04 to 0.47). EXPERT OPINION These 41 cases of at least possible clozapine-induced myocarditis indicated that this ADR can definitively occur in children, particularly in the first 30 days of up-titration. Children's and adult cases appeared similar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos De Las Cuevas
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Instituto Universitario de Neurociencia (IUNE) University of La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,Department of Psychiatry, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Manuel Arrojo-Romero
- Department of Psychiatry, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Can-Jun Ruan
- Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology, Beijing Key Laboratory of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,The National Clinical Research Centre for Mental Disorders & Beijing Key Lab of Mental Disorders, Beijing Anding Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Georgios Schoretsanitis
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Psychiatry Research, Northwell Health, Glen Oaks, New York, USA
| | - Emilio J Sanz
- Department of Physical Medicine and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad de La Laguna, Canary Islands, Spain.,Hospital Universitario de Canarias, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jose de Leon
- Mental Health Research Center at Eastern State Hospital, Lexington, KY, US.,Biomedical Research Centre in Mental Health Net (CIBERSAM), Santiago Apostol Hospital, University of the Basque Country, Vitoria, Spain
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Catatonia and Schizophrenia in a Young Man with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis. Harv Rev Psychiatry 2022; 30:261-269. [PMID: 35849743 DOI: 10.1097/hrp.0000000000000334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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D’Errico S, Russa RL, Maiese A, Santurro A, Scopetti M, Romano S, Zanon M, Frati P, Fineschi V. Atypical antipsychotics and oxidative cardiotoxicity: review of literature and future perspectives to prevent sudden cardiac death. J Geriatr Cardiol 2021; 18:663-685. [PMID: 34527032 PMCID: PMC8390928 DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2021.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is considered the principal mediator of myocardial injury under pathological conditions. It is well known that reactive oxygen (ROS) or nitrogen species (RNS) are involved in myocardial injury and repair at the same time and that cellular damage is generally due to an unbalance between generation and elimination of the free radicals due to an inadequate mechanism of antioxidant defense or to an increase in ROS and RNS. Major adverse cardiovascular events are often associated with drugs with associated findings such as fibrosis or inflammation of the myocardium. Despite efforts in the preclinical phase of the development of drugs, cardiotoxicity still remains a great concern. Cardiac toxicity due to second-generation antipsychotics (clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine) has been observed in preclinical studies and described in patients affected with mental disorders. A role of oxidative stress has been hypothesized but more evidence is needed to confirm a causal relationship. A better knowledge of cardiotoxicity mechanisms should address in the future to establish the right dose and length of treatment without impacting the physical health of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano D’Errico
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Raffaele La Russa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Aniello Maiese
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Surgical Pathology, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alessandro Santurro
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Matteo Scopetti
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Romano
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Martina Zanon
- Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola Frati
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Vittorio Fineschi
- IRCSS Neuromed Mediterranean Neurological Institute, Pozzilli, Italy
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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Brazile T, Barakat AF, Bukhari S, Schelbert EB, Soman P. A 25-Year-Old Man with Refractory Schizophrenia and Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis Diagnosed by Non-Invasive Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF CASE REPORTS 2021; 22:e930103. [PMID: 33990535 PMCID: PMC8130977 DOI: 10.12659/ajcr.930103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Patient: Male, 25-year-old Final Diagnosis: Clozapine-induced myocarditis Symptoms: Elevated troponin • fever • leukocytosis • somnolence • tachycardia Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance • electrocardiogram • transthoracic echocardiogram Specialty: Cardiology • General and Internal Medicine
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Brazile
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amr F Barakat
- Department of Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Syed Bukhari
- Department of Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Erik B Schelbert
- Department of Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Prem Soman
- Department of Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Clozapine-Induced Myocarditis or Acute Coronary Syndrome? Optical Coherence Tomography to the Rescue. Case Rep Cardiol 2018; 2018:5026107. [PMID: 30116643 PMCID: PMC6079512 DOI: 10.1155/2018/5026107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Accepted: 07/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chest pain and troponin elevation may be due to an acute coronary syndrome, myocarditis, acute cardiomyopathy, or other less common conditions. Management differs depending on the aetiology, and the pathophysiologic diagnosis has direct implications on treatment and patient outcomes. History and clinical examination is supplemented by selected investigations including the electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and even myocardial perfusion scintigraphy or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. Intravascular imaging can provide important insights into the underlying mechanism of acute coronary syndromes, especially when angiography is ambiguous.
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Bellissima BL, Tingle MD, Cicović A, Alawami M, Kenedi C. A systematic review of clozapine-induced myocarditis. Int J Cardiol 2018; 259:122-129. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2017.12.102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Abstract
Clozapine is exceptionally effective in psychotic disorders and can reduce suicidal risk. Nevertheless, its use is limited due to potentially life-threatening adverse effects, including myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Given their clinical importance, we systematically reviewed research on adverse cardiac effects of clozapine, aiming to improve estimates of their incidence, summarize features supporting their diagnosis, and evaluate proposed monitoring procedures. Incidence of early (≤2 months) myocarditis ranges from <0.1 to 1.0 % and later (3-12 months) cardiomyopathy about 10 times less. Diagnosis rests on relatively nonspecific symptoms, ECG changes, elevated indices of myocardial damage, cardiac MRI findings, and importantly, echocardiographic evidence of developing ventricular failure. Treatment involves stopping clozapine and empirical applications of steroids, diuretics, beta-blockers, and antiangiotensin agents. Mortality averages approximately 25 %. Safety of clozapine reuse remains uncertain. Systematic studies are needed to improve knowledge of the epidemiology, avoidance, early identification, and treatment of these adverse effects, with effective and practicable monitoring protocols.
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Swart LE, Koster K, Torn M, Budde RPJ, Uijlings R. Clozapine-induced myocarditis. Schizophr Res 2016; 174:161-164. [PMID: 27112636 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2016.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Revised: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 04/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laurens E Swart
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Kenneth Koster
- Department of Radiology, Deventer Hospital, Nico Bolkesteinlaan 75, 7416 SE Deventer, The Netherlands.
| | - Marieke Torn
- Department of Cardiology, Deventer Hospital, Nico Bolkesteinlaan 75, 7416 SE Deventer, The Netherlands.
| | - Ricardo P J Budde
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus Medical Centre, 's-Gravendijkwal 230, 3015 CE Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Ruben Uijlings
- Department of Cardiology, Deventer Hospital, Nico Bolkesteinlaan 75, 7416 SE Deventer, The Netherlands.
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Ronaldson KJ, Fitzgerald PB, McNeil JJ. Clozapine-induced myocarditis, a widely overlooked adverse reaction. Acta Psychiatr Scand 2015; 132:231-40. [PMID: 25865238 DOI: 10.1111/acps.12416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We review the published cases of clozapine-induced myocarditis and describe reasons for the higher incidence in Australia (>1%) than elsewhere (<0.1%). METHOD Medline was searched to September 2014 using 'clozapine' as the sole term. RESULTS A total of around 250 cases of clozapine-induced myocarditis have been published. Fever among patients commencing clozapine has been reported internationally, and very few of these cases were investigated for myocarditis. The time to onset of fever is consistent with its being part of a prodrome of undiagnosed myocarditis, and the risk factors are similar to those for myocarditis. In more severe cases, clozapine is discontinued, avoiding fatalities which may occur with myocarditis. Furthermore, cases of sudden death and respiratory illness may well have been undiagnosed myocarditis. The diagnosis of myocarditis is confounded by the non-specific nature of the signs and symptoms, and it depends on appropriate investigations being conducted at the time of myocardial involvement or, for fatal cases, the affected area of the myocardium being sampled for histology. CONCLUSION It is likely that the incidence of myocarditis is around 3%. Implementation of monitoring procedures will increase case ascertainment and result in more patients benefiting from this valuable medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Ronaldson
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - P B Fitzgerald
- Monash Alfred Psychiatry Research Centre, Monash University Central Clinical School and The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - J J McNeil
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Serrano A, Rangel N, Carrizo E, Uzcátegui E, Sandia I, Zabala A, Fernández E, Tálamo E, Servigna M, Prieto D, Connell L, Baptista T. Safety of long-term clozapine administration. Frequency of cardiomyopathy and hyponatraemia: two cross-sectional, naturalistic studies. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2014; 48:183-92. [PMID: 23985160 DOI: 10.1177/0004867413502089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The antipsychotic drug (APD) clozapine (CLZ) is under-prescribed because of concerns about its safety. We evaluated in separate protocols the frequency of cardiomyopathy and hyponatraemia, which are adverse drug effects, where few comparative studies are available. METHODS Cross-sectional studies in subjects treated for at least 3 consecutive months with the same drug were conducted. Cardiomyopathy: Patients undergoing treatment either with CLZ (n = 125) or with other typical or atypical APDs (n = 59) were examined by a cardiologist who also recorded echocardiograms and electrocardiograms in order to diagnose cardiomyopathy. Hyponatraemia: Fasting sodium levels were assessed in patients receiving any of the following treatments: CLZ (n = 88), other atypical APDs (n = 61), typical APDs (n = 23), typical + atypical APDs (n = 11), and other drugs/drug-free (n = 36). RESULTS Cardiomyopathy: No case of cardiomyopathy was detected. The frequency of abnormal ventricular ejection fraction (< 55%) was similar in both treatment groups (p = 1). Hyponatraemia: The frequency of hyponatraemia (percentage; 95% CI) was: CLZ (3.4%; -0.7, 7.1); other atypical APDs (4.9%; -0.5, 10.3); typical APDs (26.1%; 8.2, 44.0); typical + atypical APDs (9.1%; -7.8, 26.0); other drugs/drug-free (0%). None of the CLZ hyponatraemia subjects were on monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Our results are at odds with previous studies of CLZ-associated cardiomyopathy. However, they must be compared to further cross-sectional or prospective studies because most published data come from either case reports or pharmacovigilance systems. The frequency of hyponatraemia during CLZ administration was similar to that observed with other atypical APDs, and it was significantly lower than that recorded with typical agents. These results, along with numerous case reports on the effects of CLZ in patients with polydipsia and water intoxication, point to a safe or even positive profile of CLZ on electrolytic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Serrano
- 1Department of Psychiatry, Los Andes University Medical School, Mérida, Venezuela
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Pompili M, Serafini G, Innamorati M, Ambrosi E, Telesforo L, Venturini P, Giordano G, Battuello M, Lester D, Girardi P. Unmet treatment needs in schizophrenia patients: is asenapine a potential therapeutic option? Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 11:989-1006. [DOI: 10.1586/ern.11.82] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Murch S, Tran N, Liew D, Petrakis M, Prior D, Castle D. Echocardiographic monitoring for clozapine cardiac toxicity: lessons from real-world experience. Australas Psychiatry 2013; 21:258-61. [PMID: 23439546 DOI: 10.1177/1039856213475684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to identify the baseline prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in patients commencing clozapine, assess adherence with echocardiographic monitoring recommendations, and evaluate the utility and cost of echocardiographic monitoring for the development of clozapine-associated myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. METHODS A retrospective longitudinal cohort study was undertaken of 159 consecutive patients from a major tertiary centre commencing clozapine in the period January 2002 to July 2009. RESULTS Some 73% of patients had a baseline study, and 11% had a six-month follow-up study. Nine patients had abnormal left ventricular function at baseline. Myocarditis was identified in three patients, with all cases occurring within the first month of treatment and suspected on clinical grounds before an echocardiogram was performed. One case of possible cardiomyopathy was identified. The cost of echocardiographic screening in the first year of treatment was estimated at $AUD 209,356 per case of cardiomyopathy detected. CONCLUSION The prevalence of cardiac dysfunction in patients commencing clozapine is high, and there are challenges in adhering with the recommended protocol for monitoring. Routine echocardiography is not useful in the detection of clozapine-associated myocarditis. Although cardiomyopathy may be identified, it is rare and associated with significant cost. Recommendations for routine echocardiographic monitoring should be re-examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart Murch
- St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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