What side effect is associated with Ziprasidone (Geodon) that indicates it should be avoided in patients with cardiovascular disease?

Ziprasidone (Geodon) is an atypical antipsychotic that is known to have a significant effect on cardiac parameters, particularly related to the prolongation of the QT interval on the electrocardiogram. This side effect is of particular concern in patients with pre-existing cardiovascular disease, as prolonged QT can lead to serious arrhythmias, including Torsades de Pointes, which can be life-threatening.

Patients with cardiovascular issues may already be at risk for various complications related to heart rhythm disturbances, making the use of medications that further extend the QT interval particularly risky. Therefore, monitoring for QT prolongation is crucial, and it indicates that Ziprasidone should be used with caution or potentially avoided in this patient population.

In contrast, other potential side effects associated with Ziprasidone, such as akathisia, neutropenia, and hypotension, while significant, do not specifically relate to cardiovascular risks as directly as QT prolongation does. Akathisia is more related to motor side effects, neutropenia pertains to blood cell counts, and hypotension is important in its own right, but does not carry the same potential for serious heart rhythm issues as QT prolongation does.