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.