Key result
β-blockers are linked to lower heart rates in the ~51% of clozapine patients developing tachycardia.
Why the study?
To examine the rates and persistence of clozapine-induced tachycardia and heart-rate differences in patients treated with β-blockers.
Do beta-blockers reduce heart rate in patients with clozapine-induced tachycardia?
Observational (n=101)
No
Do beta-blockers reduce heart rate in patients with clozapine-induced tachycardia?
Clozapine-induced tachycardia is highly prevalent (51%), and while beta-blockers significantly reduce heart rates, the reduction is small and may be insufficient to fully mitigate cardiovascular risk.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Modest β-blocker HR reductions may not suffice in clozapine tachycardia; leaves open need for RCTs on CV outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: This study examined the rates and persistence of clozapine-induced tachycardia and heart-rate differences in patients treated with β-blockers in the largest sample of patients with a psychotic disorder to date. METHOD: An audit of medical files for 101 patients who attended a clozapine community clinic and analysis of monthly measurements of resting heart rates. RESULTS: 51% met the clinical criteria for tachycardia. Heart rates were stable over time. β-blockers were associated with small but significant reductions in heart rates. CONCLUSION: The cardiovascular risks of clozapine are often overlooked. β-blockers are useful in lowering heart rates but they may be insufficient to reduce cardiac risk.
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Brennan et al. (2024) conducted an observational in Psychotic disorder (n=101). β-blockers was evaluated on Clinical criteria for tachycardia.
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