Olanzapine: a new risk factor for pulmonary embolus?
Pulmonary embolus (PE) is not an uncommon cause of sudden death, and forensic pathologists are not unaccustomed to being the first to diagnose a PE in a patient, since they are often fatal. Forensic pathologists are also familiar with the known risk factors for development of PEs, including advanced age, use of oral contraceptives, smoking, obesity, a sedimentary lifestyle, postsurgery or postinjury, pregnancy, certain malignancies, factor V Leiden and prothrombin mutations, and anticardiolipin antibodies. It has recently been shown in the clinical literature that antipsychotic medications are associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events. Clozapine, a close relative of olanzapine, has been implicated as an independent risk factor for developing a PE. Four cases have been published within the last 2 years questioning whether olanzapine may also be associated with an increased risk for PE. We report 6 cases from the Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, occurring between 1998 and 2005 where olanzapine may have been a risk factor in the development of, and death from, PE.
Kannan
Rajesh
R
Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Molina
D Kimberley
DK
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077152:Olanzapine; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D001569:Benzodiazepines; D000077152:Olanzapine