Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmia Caused by Ingestion of Aconitum (Monkshood) Flowers

Francesco Adami; Peter Paganussi; Giovanna Perone; Paola Bera; Giosuè Braga; Carlo Concoreggi

doi:10.1016/j.wem.2018.05.001

Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmia Caused by Ingestion of Aconitum (Monkshood) Flowers

Wilderness Environ Med. 2018 Sep;29(3):411-416. doi: 10.1016/j.wem.2018.05.001. Epub 2018 Jul 4.

Authors

Francesco Adami¹, Peter Paganussi², Giovanna Perone³, Paola Bera³, Giosuè Braga⁴, Carlo Concoreggi⁵

Affiliations

¹ University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy (Mr Adami). Electronic address: francescoadami@gmail.com.
² Department of Emergency Medicine, Reston Hospital Center, Reston, VA (Dr Paganussi).
³ Regional Agency for Emergency-Urgency, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy (Drs Perone and Bera).
⁴ Anesthesia and Resuscitation Department, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy (Dr Braga).
⁵ Department of Emergency Medicine, Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy (Dr Concoreggi).

PMID: 29980430
DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2018.05.001

Abstract

We report the case of a patient who presented with respiratory failure, recurrent ventricular fibrillation, ventricular arrhythmias, and hypotension after an intentional ingestion of aconite flowers. Significant ingestion of this plant can produce life-threatening cardio- and neurotoxicity that may require evacuation from the wilderness to a medical facility capable of advanced treatment and intensive care monitoring.

Keywords: aconite; aconitine; cardiotoxins; neurotoxins; ventricular arrhythmias; wolfsbane.

MeSH terms

Aconitum / adverse effects*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / blood
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / etiology*
Arrhythmias, Cardiac / therapy
Eating
Flowers / adverse effects
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Plant Poisoning / blood
Plant Poisoning / complications*
Plant Poisoning / therapy
Treatment Outcome