Death due to Acute Massive Pulmonary Thromboembolism Associated with Risperidone

Abstract

The antipsychotic drug risperidone, which is extensively used, has also many side effects, as increased risk of stroke, thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism have been reported. We present a case of a 38 year-old-woman with psychiatric disorder who got worse in her home and died in the hospital. Throughout autopsy, during the internal examination, multiple thrombi in the pulmonary artery branches were observed; however, there were no pathology findings in the lower extremity veins. Blood chemistry test revealed 4 ng/ml of risperidone, 37 ng/ml of quetiapine and atropine; chemical examination of urine detected atropine, quetiapine, risperidone. Death occurred due to acute massive pulmonary thromboembolism. We aimed to discuss this case with autopsy and histopathologic findings, laboratory results in medico-legal literature.