Fatal thromboembolism following physical restraint in a patient with schizophrenia.
Fatal thromboembolism during physical restraint in patients suffering from psychotic disorders is a very rare occurrence. In the case we present here, the criteria used in forensic pathology for the age determination of venous thrombi are applied to a case of pulmonary embolism in a patient suffering from schizophrenia who died after physical restraint. The possible association between conventional antipsychotic drugs and deep venous thrombosis, followed by pulmonary embolism, in a man with no predisposing risk factors, as well as the question concerning the appropriateness of medical care, are discussed.
Department of Anatomical, Histological, Legal Medical and Orthopaedic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 336, Rome, Italy. rossana.cecchi@uniroma1.it
Rossana
R
Cecchi
Antonella
A
Lazzaro
Miriam
M
Catanese
Gabriele
G
Mandarelli
Stefano
S
Ferracuti
D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000473:pathology*; D054060:Pulmonary Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000473:pathology*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents