Top in cardiology: Antipsychotic drugs prolong severe QT; intermittent fasting and death

Over 13% of users of two antipsychotic drugs, quetiapine and haloperidol, developed severe QT prolongation, which in turn has been tiede to ventricular arrhythmias, results from a retrospective study showed.

In quetiapine users, the drug has also been linked to sudden cardiac death.

“Clinicians should be aware of the potential risks associated with quetiapine use, particularly the risk of severe QT prolongation and its associated outcomes, including ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death,” Chung-Li Wang, MD, of the cardiovascular division, department of internal medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou Medical Center in Taoyuan, Taiwan, said in a press release.

It was the top story in cardiology in the past year.

In another top story, an eating duration of less than 8 hours corresponded with increased risk for cardiovascular mortality. Researchers further observed this risk in subgroups of adults with CVD or cancer.

Read these and other top stories from 2024 below:

Two antipsychotic drugs prolong QTc interval, may cause arrhythmias, sudden cardiac death

The antipsychotic drugs quetiapine and haloperidol may be associated with severe QT prolongation, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, researchers reported in HeartRhythm. Read more.

Intermittent fasting tied to increased risk for death from heart disease

A time-restricted eating window of less than 8 hours may pose increased risk for cardiovascular death, according to study findings presented at the Epidemiology, Prevention, Lifestyle & Cardiometabolic Scientific Sessions. Read more.

Common sugar substitute facilitates blood clotting, raising risk for heart attack, stroke

Xylitol, a low-calorie sugar substitute commonly found in gum and toothpaste, demonstrated prothrombotic properties, possibly raising risk for major adverse CV events, researchers reported. Read more.

Cannabis use ups risk for heart attacks, strokes

U.S. adults who reported cannabis use showed a higher risk for coronary heart disease, MI and stroke compared with nonusers, with the risks persisting for cannabis users who reported never smoking tobacco, data show. Read more.

Tiny plastics in carotid plaque tied to elevated risk for heart attack, stroke, death

Among patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease who had carotid endarterectomy, those whose atheromas contained microplastics and/or nanoplastics had worse outcomes than those whose atheromas did not, researchers reported. Read more.

Sugar substitute erythritol linked to elevated risk for blood clot formation

Erythritol, a nonnutritive sweetener generally recognized as safe by the FDA, demonstrated fast-acting prothrombotic properties not observed with traditional glucose in a small study. Read more.