Tramadol overdose and serotonin syndrome manifesting as acute right heart dysfunction

Abstract

Acute right heart failure in a young person is an unusual presentation and drug overdose is a rare cause. A case is described where the patient presented with striking clinical signs of acute pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, which were confirmed by transthoracic echocardiography. The precipitating event appeared to be poisoning by tramadol. There were features in keeping with tramadol toxicity and serotonin syndrome. The possible pathophysiology behind the process is discussed.