Moringa Oleifera leaf extract induced pulmonary embolism-a case report

We report a case of a 63-year-old Hispanic female with past  medical history of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus who presented to the emergency room with a three-day history of worsening shortness of breath and chest pain. Computerized tomography-pulmonary angiogram (CT-PA) revealed bilateral pulmonary embolism (PE) and right ventricle strain. Based on CT imaging findings, the absence of a major transient risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE), no history suggestive of an underlying hypercoagulable disorder, and a medication history that was significant for a recent 5-month use ofM. oleifera leaf extract that has been reported to induce clot formation, she was diagnosed as a rare case of sub-massive pulmonary embolism provoked byM. oleifera leaf extract supplement. She received initial anticoagulation (AC) during her hospitalization and was discharged on maintenance AC for 3 months.Discussion and conclusionWe report the first case of PE likely triggered by usingMoringa oleifera leaf extract herbal supplement. Cohort studies on the coagulation effect of  Moringa oleifera leaf extract in humans are  necessary to determine the relationship betweenMoringa Oleifera leaf extract and VTEs.
Source: International Journal of Emergency Medicine - Category: Emergency Medicine Source Type: research