Pop quiz: cardiac arrhythmia from an herbal medicine

3 out of 5 stars Life-threatening cardiovascular toxicity following ingestion of Chinese herbal medicine. Martinez A et al. Emerg Med Australas 2014 Oct;26:512-13. Abstract This case report describes a 46-year-old Chinese woman in Melbourne who presented with peri-oral and facial paresthesias, gastronintestinal disturbance (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,  abdominal pain,) tachycardia and hypotension. She also had decreased level of consciousness and ventricular tachycardia. Symptoms started 30 minutes after ingesting a Chinese herbal medicine. The following is a pop quiz based on this presentation. Click on the question to reveal the answer. What is the toxin involved? expand(document.getElementById('ddet1567825022'));expand(document.getElementById('ddetlink1567825022')) The differential diagnosis of this presentation includes cardiac glycoside poisoning from plants such as lily of the valley, foxglove, and oleander. However, many Chinese medicine such as Fu Zi contain aconite (wolfsbane or monkshood), which can also present with gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurologic manifestations. Other Chinese preparations that contain aconite include “Chuan Wu” and “Cao Wu.” What is the toxic mechanism of this poison? expand(document.getElementById('ddet1158484159'));expand(document.getElementById('ddetlink1158484159')) Aconite alkaloids maintain sodium channels in an open position,  interfering with  transmission and impairing normal function of excitable car...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical aconite cao wu cardiotoxicity Chinese herbal medicine chuan wu fu zi monkshood wolfsbane Source Type: news