Researchers investigated the safety of antipsychotics in this particular patient population, as patients admitted to hospital with cardiac morbidity may be more vulnerable to their adverse effects.
According to the observed difference in mortality during the seven days of follow-up (2.3%), the number needed to harm was 44. The association appeared to be the strongest during the first four days after starting treatment and was no longer evident by day 5.
The authors say their findings are consistent with previous research in the outpatient setting suggesting a higher risk of mortality associated with initiation of a typical versus atypical antipsychotics. Although residual confounding cannot be excluded, the results suggest atypical antipsychotics may be a less harmful option for patients admitted to hospital with cardiac morbidity.