Nonfatal pulmonary embolus associated with clozapine treatment: a case series

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2011 Jan-Feb;33(1):85.e5-6. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2010.11.010. Epub 2011 Jan 3.

Abstract

Clozapine is a tricyclic dibenzodiazepine efficacious in the management of treatment-resistant chronic schizophrenia. Although case reports of arrhythmias and cardiomyositis have been reported with clozapine use, severe acute cardiovascular side effects (SE) tend to be rare in clozapine treatment. The author reports on a case series of three patients treated with clozapine on a long-term inpatient unit that developed nonfatal pulmonary emboli (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). While not a contraindication, potential increased PE risk should be discussed with initiation of clozapine treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / administration & dosage
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism / chemically induced*
  • Venous Thrombosis / chemically induced

Substances

  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine