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Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A Porcine Model of Acute Autologous Pulmonary Embolism
Published on: September 6, 2024
Pulmonary embolism after tadalafil ingestion
Huang-Chi Chen1, Chuan-Sheng Wang, Shu-Hui Chuang
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, #482, San-ming Road, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan, ROC. chenhuangchi@gmail.com
Tadalafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, may rarely cause blood clots. This case report details a patient with low protein C who developed pulmonary embolism after starting tadalafil.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Thromboembolic Disease
Background:
- Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor used for erectile dysfunction and investigated for pulmonary hypertension.
- While generally safe, PDE5 inhibitors have been rarely associated with thrombotic events.
Observation:
- A 54-year-old male with reduced protein C levels initiated tadalafil therapy.
- The patient subsequently developed a pulmonary embolism (PE).
Findings:
- This case suggests a potential link between tadalafil use and PE in patients with underlying coagulation deficiencies.
- The Naranjo scale supports tadalafil as a possible causative agent for the PE.
Implications:
- This report highlights the importance of considering coagulation status in patients prescribed PDE5 inhibitors.
- Further research may be warranted to explore the risk of thromboembolism with tadalafil in specific patient populations.
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