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Patients with schizophrenia are at increased risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and associated mortality versus the general population. Increased intra-abdominal and pericardial adipose tissue are associated with elevated CVD and mortality in the general population, but little is known about these in patients with schizophrenia. This study examined pericardial and intra-abdominal adipose tissue in schizophrenia and compared this to healthy controls. Thirty-one patients with schizophrenia (mean age 41.2 years, 76% males) and 30 healthy volunteers (CTRL) were examined in this study. The primary outcomes were the volumes of pericardial adipose tissue and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, measured using magnetic resonance imaging. Secondary outcomes included diabetes and cardiac event risk assessed by established instruments. Volumes of pericardial adipose tissue were increased in male and female patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy controls after the adjustment of age, sex and body mass index (P < 0.005). The 10-year risk of a cardiac event was significantly higher in patients with schizophrenia. Furthermore, the risk for developing type-2 diabetes mellitus was slightly increased in schizophrenia. Volumes of intra-abdominal adipose tissue were slightly increased in male and female patients with schizophrenia, albeit not statistically significant. This study demonstrates that patients with schizophrenia have increased pericardial adipose tissue versus controls. This increased fat deposit around the heart is highly relevant for understanding the comorbidity between heart disease and schizophrenia. Interventions aiming to reduce pericardial and intra-abdominal adipose tissue, such as exercise, may be essential to reduce the burden of heart disease in schizophrenia.

Psychopharmacological treatment with antipsychotic drugs is an essential part of guideline-based treatment strategies in psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and delusional disorders. Other mental disorders frequently treated with antipsychotic drugs are bipolar disorders, and major depressive disorder. Furthermore, antipsychotic drugs are often given in emergency and surgical units for the treatment of metabolic or postoperative delirium. Antipsychotic drugs can exert direct and indirect effects on the vascular system, potentially leading to severe complications such as thromboembolism. Therefore, knowledge of vascular side effects of antipsychotic drugs is important for clinicians. This clinical orientated review article covers direct and indirect effects of antipsychotics on the vascular system., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)