[Fatal poisoning by alcohol-free aniseed aperitif]

A case of chronic poisoning with alcohol-free "pastis" leading to the death of a 32 year old alcoholic patient is reported. The mean daily amount of ingested glycyrrhizinic acid was 0.35 g. "Torsades de pointes" secondary to severe hypokalemia were observed and prolonged cardiac arrest occurred. There was evidence of chronic hypokalemic myopathy and of rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. Furthermore, the origin of an associated cardiomyopathy is discussed.