Massive pulmonary embolism in rheumatoid patient treated with raloxifene: a case report

Abstract

Introduction Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not generally considered a risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Case presentation A patient with RA and postmenopausal osteoporosis was reported with massive pulmonary embolism following treatment with raloxifene for 3 months. This patient met the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for RA diagnosis in 1988. She was controlled on regular disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARDs) for 4 years. Conclusion Pulmonary embolism in postmenopausal osteoporotic patient with RA could be due to raloxifene treatment rather than a complication of the disease itself.

Keywords

• pulmonary embolism, raloxifene, rheumatoid arthritis