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Cardiotoxicity in yew berry poisoning
Mohammad Alarfaj1, Ankur Goswami2
1Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Canada.
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 29, 2021
Summary
Yew plant (Taxus species) poisoning can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Current management strategies are varied, highlighting the need for improved understanding and treatment guidelines for this rare toxidrome.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Yew plants (Taxus species) are known for their toxicity, primarily due to cardiotoxic effects causing fatal arrhythmias.
- Lethal intoxication from yew poisoning is rare, but management guidelines are lacking, leading to varied treatment approaches.
Observation:
- A case of a 20-year-old female with refractory lethal arrhythmia and shock following yew poisoning is presented.
- The patient required intensive care, including airway management, hemodynamic support, antiarrhythmics, digoxin immune Fab, lipid emulsion, and pacemaker insertion.
Findings:
- Despite extensive interventions, the patient ultimately died, and care was withdrawn.
- A review of 43 literature cases identified common treatments such as gastric decontamination, antiarrhythmics, pacing, and extracorporeal life support.
Implications:
- There is a critical need for a better understanding of yew plant poisoning management.
- Identifying optimal therapies is essential to improve outcomes for this rare but severe toxidrome.
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