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Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with the Serotonin Syndrome
- Michael Ganetsky, MD;
- Steven B. Bird, MD; and
- Ivan E. Liang, MD
- From the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, and Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135.
Background: The serotonin syndrome is an adverse drug reaction manifesting as mental status changes, autonomic hyperactivity, and neuromuscular abnormalities caused by excess stimulation of central nervous system and peripheral serotonin receptors. Diagnosis of the syndrome is based on characteristic clinical findings and history of exposure to serotonergic agents (1). Although peripheral serotonin activity is important for maintaining vascular tone, cardiac ischemia is not a typical complication of the serotonin syndrome or of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor therapy. On the contrary, use of these agents has been postulated to decrease the risk for acute myocardial infarction (MI), possibly by inhibiting platelet activation (2).
Objective: To describe a case of the serotonin syndrome causing an acute MI.
Case Report: A 31-year-old woman presented to the emergency department because of a change in mental status. She had a history of depression …
