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Olanzapine: a new risk factor for pulmonary embolus?
Rajesh Kannan1, D Kimberley Molina
1Bexar County Medical Examiner's Office, San Antonio, TX, USA.
The American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology
|March 5, 2009
Summary
Forensic pathologists investigated six deaths potentially linked to olanzapine, an antipsychotic drug. This study suggests olanzapine may increase the risk of fatal pulmonary embolisms (PE).
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
Background:
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant cause of sudden, often fatal, deaths.
- Established risk factors for PE include advanced age, obesity, smoking, surgery, and genetic mutations.
- Antipsychotic medications are increasingly recognized as potential contributors to thromboembolic events.
Observation:
- Clozapine, an antipsychotic, has been identified as an independent risk factor for PE.
- Previous case reports have raised concerns about olanzapine's association with PE.
- This study examines six cases from 1998-2005 where olanzapine use preceded fatal PE.
Findings:
- The six cases suggest a potential link between olanzapine use and the development of fatal pulmonary embolisms.
- Olanzapine may represent an additional risk factor for PE, particularly in vulnerable individuals.
- Forensic pathology plays a crucial role in identifying drug-associated causes of death.
Implications:
- These findings warrant further investigation into the thromboembolic risks associated with olanzapine.
- Clinicians should consider PE risk when prescribing olanzapine, especially in patients with other risk factors.
- Enhanced awareness among medical examiners and forensic pathologists regarding drug-induced PE is essential.
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