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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Methods for ECG Evaluation of Indicators of Cardiac Risk, and Susceptibility to Aconitine-induced Arrhythmias in Rats Following Status Epilepticus
Published on: April 5, 2011
[Long QRS tachycardia secondary to Aconitum napellus alkaloid ingestion]
Nicola Gaibazzi1, Gian Paolo Gelmini, Graziano Montresor
1U.O. di Cardiologia, Ospedale di Desenzano del Garda, BS. nicola.gaibazzi@inwind.it
Abstract:
The roots and seeds of the aconite (Aconitum napellus) contain alkaloids with modulatory activity on the sodium voltage-dependent channels; most fatal cases have been determined by ventricular tachycardia and respiratory paralysis. The only established treatment is supportive. We report a case of poisoning from Aconitum napellus, ingested by a husband and wife who thought the plant was "mountain chicory". They both had tachyarrhythmias, but the husband had more malignant episodes of hemodynamically unstable wide QRS tachycardia and respiratory paralysis requiring mechanical ventilation.
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