Arrhythmias & electrophysiology
Exploring the link between antipsychotic and antidepressant use and severe QT prolongation: Impacts on ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death
Authors' conclusion
Specific psychotropics (high-risk antipsychotics and escitalopram) increase SQTP risk, particularly in vulnerable patients. SQTP is strongly associated with higher VA and SCD risks.
Study context
- Population
- Antipsychotic or antidepressant users with baseline and follow-up ECGs, Taiwan
- Exposure
- Antipsychotic or antidepressant use vs alprazolam
- Antipsychoticsn = 28,892
- Antidepressantsn = 14,634
- Outcome
- Incidence and outcomes of severe QT prolongation (QTc >500 ms or >60 ms increase from baseline)
Methodological detailsmulticentre, electronic medical records
- Multicentre
- Electronic medical records
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Severe QT prolongation incidence
- Graded dose-response between hypokalemia severity and Severe QT prolongation (SQTP) risk
- P for trend < .001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
- SQTP associated with ≈3-fold higher VA risk in both groups
- SQTP associated with 2-fold sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk in antipsychotic users
Original publication
Exploring the link between antipsychotic and antidepressant use and severe QT prolongation: Impacts on ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Heart Rhythm. Published 13 December 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →