Cardiomyopathy associated with clozapine.

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.