Sudden death in schizophrenia: pay special attention and develop preventive strategies

Cardiotoxicity of current antipsychotics: Newer antipsychotics or adjunct therapy?

“…Since clozapine cardiotoxicity is mainly manifested as cardiac inflammation (myocarditis), inhibition of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines ( e.g., tumor necrosis factor-α) were also shown to be protective against clozapine-induced cardiotoxicity[ 11 - 13 ]. Current studies further showed that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( ω -3 PUFAs) were beneficial for schizophrenia patients in view of its protections against cardiovascular morbidity and mortality[ 14 ]. Of note, the dose-related cardioprotective and anti-arrhythmic effects of ω -3 PUFAs have been observed in large clinical trials and consequently, this outcome may have provided strong evidence for ω -3 PUFAs becoming a potential candidate in the combined medication[ 15 ].…”