Clinical reports and toxicologic literature documenting arrhythmias, conduction abnormalities, cardiac arrest, and severe cardiovascular events associated with kratom and mitragynine exposure.
A 28‑year‑old collapsed with ventricular fibrillation after smoking kratom; ECG showed a type 1 Brugada pattern. Kratom alkaloids directly inhibit cardiac ion channels, demonstrating sudden cardiac death potential.
Read Case →Patient developed severe QTc prolongation (552 ms) and a Brugada pattern after kratom use, resolving only after abstinence. Concentration‑dependent potassium channel blockade poses risk of fatal arrhythmias.
Read Report →18‑year‑old athlete suffered VF after mixing kratom with energy drinks; required ICD implantation. Arrhythmogenic potential especially when combined with stimulants.
Read Case →Middle‑aged man with no cardiac history developed VF after kratom; prolonged QT and pulmonary congestion. Kratom can trigger lethal arrhythmias without underlying disease.
Read Case →A 35‑year‑old suffered cardiac arrest after using kratom alone; LVEF dropped to 20% and brain infarcts occurred. Catastrophic cardiovascular event from single‑substance exposure.
Read Case →Heavy kratom use precipitated severe right ventricular failure requiring intensive care. Life‑threatening cardiac dysfunction from kratom exposure.
Read Report →28‑year‑old with rhabdomyolysis (CPK 26,989), acute renal failure, transient cardiomyopathy (EF 31‑35%), and multifocal brain infarcts. Multiorgan failure including cardiac toxicity.
Read Case →Kratom overdose led to acute kidney failure, reversible cardiomyopathy (EF <15%), and transient hearing loss – severe multiorgan involvement.
Read Report →High‑dose kratom (120‑140 g/day) unmasked type 1 Brugada syndrome, normalized after cessation. Interaction with sodium channels creates acquired arrhythmia risk.
Read Case →Editorial warns that unregulated alkaloids cause Brugada syndrome and QT prolongation, calling kratom an ‘atomic threat’ in substance abuse.
Read Editorial →Systematic review finds kratom consistently causes tachycardia (21‑30%), hypertension, and QTc prolongation; case reports confirm ventricular arrhythmias and cardiopulmonary arrest.
Read Review →FDA Adverse Event Reporting System: among kratom/mitragynine reports, electrocardiogram QT prolonged (2.81%), cardiac arrest (3.43%), and death (9.05%) are consistently reported.
View FAERS Data →Patient developed mixed liver injury, kidney failure requiring dialysis, and colitis after chronic kratom use. Required liver transplantation and remains on dialysis. Highlights systemic toxicity.
Read Case →32‑year‑old developed severe cholestatic liver injury after kratom use; authors note that kratom has “potentially lethal side effects” including systemic organ damage.
Read Report →36‑year‑old consumed >500g kratom; AST 1347, ALT 3717, renal injury, 7‑OH >500 ng/mL. Required 14 days ICU – multiorgan failure from acute toxicity.
Read Case →Healthcare providers, emergency physicians, and toxicologists should be aware of the potential for kratom‑associated cardiac instability, including:
Published case reports and toxicologic studies increasingly associate kratom exposure with clinically significant electrophysiologic and cardiovascular instability, warranting consideration in emergency and cardiology settings.
