QTc-Interval Abnormalities and Psychotropic Drug Therapy in Psychiatric Patients

This chapter provides a summary of a landmark study on schizophrenia and the impact of demographic factors and psychotropic medications on markers of risk for cardiac events. Is QTc prolongation associated with specific psychotropic medications, the dose, or other factors? What is the correlation between other QT or T-wave abnormalities and these factors? Starting with these questions, it describes the basics of the study, including funding, study location, who was studied, how many patients, study design, study intervention, follow-up, endpoints, results, and criticism and limitations. The chapter briefly reviews other relevant studies and information, discusses implications, and concludes with a relevant clinical case.