title: Serotonin syndrome following cardiac surgery.
abstract: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are widely used to treat depression. We report a case of serotonin syndrome following cardiac surgery. This syndrome is rare in the cardiac literature. The clinical features, diagnosis and management of this unusual syndrome are described. In patients with polypharmacy, it is important to take cognisance of serotonergic antidepressants and anticipate their potential interactions with drugs used peri-operatively. Early recognition and treatment is important as this condition is potentially fatal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax Infirmary, 1796 Summer Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 4P7, Canada. sgunpat@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ganesh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shanmugam
authors.forename: Blaine
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Turki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Alsaiwadi
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baskett
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D020230:Serotonin Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D008996:Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors