Echocardiography and clozapine: Is current clinical practice inhibiting use of a potentially life-transforming therapy?

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
File version

Version of Record (VoR)

Author(s)
Robinson, Gail
Kisely, Steve
Siskind, Dan
Flanagan, Robert J
Wheeler, Amanda J
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2017
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

Approximately 33% of patients with schizophrenia are treatment-refractory, yet clozapine remains underused, even though it is the most effective treatment.1,2 One barrier is routine echocardiography, which in Australia is performed before clozapine initiation, six months afterwards and then annually.3 Elsewhere, such as in New Zealand, routine echocardiography is generally restricted to the initiation of therapy, while in the UK, it is not routine practice at all. Importantly, the latest guidelines from The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) suggest routine annual echocardiography adds little to the detection of cardiomyopathy.4 We therefore review the evidence for routine echocardiography. This is particularly relevant to general practitioners (GPs) as they become more involved in managing patients on clozapine through shared-care arrangements.

Journal Title

Australian Family Physician

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

46

Issue

3

Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
DOI
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement

© 2017 Australian Family Physician. Reproduced with permission. Permission to reproduce must be sought from the publisher, The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.

Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Clinical sciences

Health care administration

Persistent link to this record
Citation
Collections