[Case of refractory cardiogenic shock due to venlafaxine overdose : illustration of the support with veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Venlafaxine is a widely prescribed antidepressant drug acting as a reuptake inhibitor of serotonin and noradrenaline. An overdose of venlafaxine can cause cardiovascular toxicity and cardiogenic shock can occur. A 32-year-old man ingested 12g of sustained-release venlafaxine in a suicidal attempt and developed within 24h acute heart failure with refractory cardiogenic shock requiring support by ECMO. The blood toxicology showed persistence of high levels of venlafaxine at day 10. The patient fully recovered and showed normal cardiac function at 3-months follow-up.