Comparing cardiovascular complications of poisoned patients with antipsychotics and antidepressants with or without benzodiazepines

Abstract

Background: In view of the high prevalence of poisoning with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines, the aim of this study was to compare the cardiovascular complications of poisoning with antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs with or without benzodiazepines. Methods: In this case-control study, 120 patients poisoned with psychiatric drugs were divided into two groups of case (with benzodiazepine) and control (without benzodiazepine). Demographic and clinical features as well as cardiac complications of patients were extracted from their files at the time of admission to the emergency department, and then the data were analyzed. Findings: There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of demographic information, poisoning way, drug type, duration of hospitalization, pupil size, hemodynamic data, electrocardiography findings, and outcomes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Poisoning with antidepressants and antipsychotics, when combined with benzodiazepines, led to a decreased level of consciousness than those who did not take benzodiazepine. Meanwhile, hemodynamic symptoms, changes in electrocardiography, vital signs, nervous system status, and even the outcome of patients in the benzodiazepine group were not significantly different from those who did not take this drug. © 2019, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.