Citation

Cerrato N, Calzolari G, Tizzani P, Actis Perinetto E, Dellavalle A, Aluffi E. Ann. Noninvasive. Electrocardiol. 2018; 23(5): e12535.

Affiliation

Emergency Department, Ospedale San Lazzaro, Alba, CN, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Futura Pub. Co.)

DOI

10.1111/anec.12535

PMID

29488680

Abstract

Yew leaves poisoning is a rare life-threatening intoxication, whose diagnosis can be difficult. Initial symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, tachycardia, muscle weakness, confusion, beginning within 1 hr from ingestion and followed by bradycardia, ventricular arrhythmias, ventricular fibrillation, severe hypotension, and death. Taxine-derived alkaloids are responsible for the toxicity of the yew leaves, blocking sodium and calcium channels, and causing conduction abnormalities. Because of lack of a specific antidote and limited efficacy of common antiarrhythmic drugs, prompt diagnosis, detoxification measures, and immediate hemodynamic support (also with transvenous cardiac stimulation) are essential.

© 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en

Keywords

poisoning; taxine; ventricular arrhythmias; yew leaves