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Fatal thromboembolism following physical restraint in a patient with schizophrenia

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Abstract

Fatal thromboembolism during physical restraint in patients suffering from psychotic disorders is a very rare occurrence. In the case we present here, the criteria used in forensic pathology for the age determination of venous thrombi are applied to a case of pulmonary embolism in a patient suffering from schizophrenia who died after physical restraint. The possible association between conventional antipsychotic drugs and deep venous thrombosis, followed by pulmonary embolism, in a man with no predisposing risk factors, as well as the question concerning the appropriateness of medical care, are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomical, Histological, Legal Medical and Orthopaedic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Viale Regina Elena 336, Rome, Italy

    Rossana Cecchi & Miriam Catanese

  2. Milan, Italy

    Antonella Lazzaro

  3. Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health and Sensory Systems, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy

    Gabriele Mandarelli & Stefano Ferracuti

Authors
  1. Rossana Cecchi
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  2. Antonella Lazzaro
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  3. Miriam Catanese
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  4. Gabriele Mandarelli
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  5. Stefano Ferracuti
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Correspondence to Rossana Cecchi.

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Cecchi, R., Lazzaro, A., Catanese, M. et al. Fatal thromboembolism following physical restraint in a patient with schizophrenia. Int J Legal Med 126, 477–482 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0670-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-012-0670-1

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