Open AccessCardiac arrest caused by sibutramine obtained over the Internet: a case of a young woman without pre‐existing cardiovascular disease successfully resuscitated using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Author(s) -
Bunya Naofumi,
Sawamoto Keigo,
Uemura Shuji,
Kyan Ryoko,
Inoue Hiroyuki,
Nishida Junichi,
Kouzu Hidemichi,
Kokubu Nobuaki,
Miura Tetsuji,
Narimatsu Eichi
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
acute medicine and surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2052-8817
DOI - 10.1002/ams2.275
Subject(s) - sibutramine , medicine , pill , extracorporeal membrane oxygenation , ventricular fibrillation , weight loss , adverse effect , cardiology , disease , pharmacology , obesity
Case Sibutramine is a weight loss agent that was withdrawn from the market in the USA and European Union because it increases adverse events in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, non‐prescription weight loss pills containing sibutramine can be still easily purchased over the Internet. A 21‐year‐old woman without history of cardiovascular diseases developed cardiac arrest. She was a user of a weight loss pills, containing sibutramine and hypokalemia‐inducing agents, imported from Thailand over the Internet. Outcome She was successfully resuscitated without any neurological deficits by using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory ventricular fibrillation. Conclusion This case indicates that sibutramine can cause cardiac arrest even in subjects without pre‐existing cardiovascular disease when combined with agents that promote QT prolongation.