Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with the Serotonin Syndrome
Authors: Michael Ganetsky, Steven B. Bird, Ivan E. Liang
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2006)

Letters16 May 2006Acute Myocardial Infarction Associated with the Serotonin SyndromeMichael Ganetsky, MD, Steven B. Bird, MD, and Ivan E. Liang, MDMichael Ganetsky, MDFrom the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, and Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135.Search for more papers by this author, Steven B. Bird, MDFrom the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, and Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135.Search for more papers by this author, and Ivan E. Liang, MDFrom the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, and Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-144-10-200605160-00019 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail 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 ...References1. Boyer EW, Shannon M. The serotonin syndrome. N Engl J Med. 2005;352:1112-20. [PMID: 15784664] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Schlienger RG, Fischer LM, Jick H, Meier CR. Current use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risk of acute myocardial infarction. Drug Saf. 2004;27:1157-65. [PMID: 15554748] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Reznik I, Rosen Y, Rosen B. An acute ischaemic event associated with the use of venlafaxine: a case report and proposed pathophysiological mechanisms. J Psychopharmacol. 1999;13:193-5. [PMID: 10475726] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Hack JB. Oral sumatriptan-induced myocardial infarction. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol. 2004;42:309-11. [PMID: 15362600] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Golino P, Piscione F, Willerson JT, Cappelli-Bigazzi M, Focaccio A, Villari B, et al. Divergent effects of serotonin on coronary-artery dimensions and blood flow in patients with coronary atherosclerosis and control patients. N Engl J Med. 1991;324:641-8. [PMID: 1994246] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Michael Ganetsky, MD; Steven B. Bird, MD; Ivan E. Liang, MDAffiliations: From the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, and Caritas St. Elizabeth's Medical Center, Boston, MA 02135.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byMovement Disorder EmergenciesManagement of severe arterial hypertension associated with serotonin syndrome: a case report analysis based on systematic review techniquesMovement Disorder EmergenciesSerotonin Syndrome With Sertraline and Indomethacin 16 May 2006Volume 144, Issue 10Page: 782-783KeywordsCatheterizationCoronary arteriesEjection fractionElectrocardiographyIschemiaSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitorsSerotoninSerotonin syndromeStable coronary artery diseaseTroponin ePublished: 16 May 2006 Issue Published: 16 May 2006 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2006 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...