Case Study: Rapid Development of Pulmonary Embolism After Initiating Antipsychotic Combination Therapy in an Acute Psychiatric Environment - Takeaways - MDSpire

Case Study: Rapid Development of Pulmonary Embolism After Initiating Antipsychotic Combination Therapy in an Acute Psychiatric Environment

  • By

  • Stephan Fesenmeier

  • Martin Aigner

  • Dora Filipovits

  • Anna Höflich

  • April 27, 2026

  • 0 min

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  • 1

    A 69-year-old woman developed acute pulmonary embolism within hours of starting antipsychotic therapy for a psychotic episode.

  • 2

    The patient received a combination of olanzapine, quetiapine, levomepromazine, and lorazepam without known VTE risk factors.

  • 3

    Pulmonary embolism was confirmed via computed tomography pulmonary angiography and successfully treated with anticoagulation.

  • 4

    This case highlights the need for clinical vigilance for VTE in patients starting antipsychotic therapy, even without predisposing factors.

  • 5

    Antipsychotic medications are associated with increased VTE risk, particularly in the early weeks of treatment.

Original Source(s)

Case Study: Rapid Development of Pulmonary Embolism After Initiating Antipsychotic Combination Therapy in an Acute Psychiatric Environment

  • by Stephan Fesenmeier, Martin Aigner, Dora Filipovits, Anna Höflich

  • April 27, 2026

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