Acute heart failure following severe chloralose poisoning: A case report

Self-poisoning with alpha chloralose is frequent in Tunisia. Neurological signs are prominent involving myoclonic jerks and coma. Cardiac toxicity is not well known.We report the case of a 19 year-old woman who ingested a chloralose rodenticide and was admitted to our intensive care unit. Four hours after admission she developed acute heart failure with pulmonary edema and elevated troponin. Echocardiography showed diffuse hypokinesia. Patient’s cardiac and respiratory status improved progressively and echocardiography performed 5 days after was normal.Cardiac toxicity following acute chloralose poisoning is uncommon and potentially serious. Its mechanism is poorly understood.