Abstract
Kratom ingestion for its psychotropic effect or to self-treat opioid withdrawal symptoms
has increased over the last 10 years in the United States. Although mild adverse effects
have been observed in users, reports of respiratory failure and shock after kratom
consumption remain rare. In this case, a 35-year-old man initially presented to the
emergency department with profound circulatory shock, metabolic acidosis, hypoxia,
and symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The patient required vasopressor
support, multiregimen sedation and rapid sequence intubation, mechanical ventilation,
and emergent hemodialysis. Within 72 hours, the patient’s condition stabilized, and
he was extubated. The patient reported regular consumption of large quantities of
kratom as well as injection of heroin and cocaine. In this report, a rare clinical
presentation after kratom ingestion is described.
Key words
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Biography
Alex Hall is Director of Clinical Trials, Department of Emergency Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA.
Biography
Dora Hall is Clinical Pharamcy Specialist, Emergency Medicine, Department of Pharmaceutical Services, Emory Decatur Hospital, Decatur, GA.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 13, 2021
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