Key clinical point: The risk of sudden cardiac death with individual antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia varies across age groups; patient age should be considered in risk-benefit evaluation.

Major finding: Exposure to zotepine significantly increased the risk of sudden cardiac death within the 14-day case period in patients younger than 45 years (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 2.68; P = .046). Exposure to flupentixol and risperidone significantly increased the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients aged 45-65 years (aRR, 5.30; P = .004 and aRR, 1.68; P = .01, respectively). There was no association between exposure to antipsychotic agents and sudden cardiac death risk in patients older than 65 years.

Study details: A case-crossover, nationwide population-based cohort involving 1,836 schizophrenia patients with sudden cardiac death.

Disclosures: The study was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan and Taipei City Hospital. The authors reported no conflicts of interest.