Oleander poisoning: Two cases with contrasting cardiac presentations.

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Cardiology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Oleander (Nerium oleander, Cascabela thevetia) is a toxic ornamental plant common in Australia.
• All plant parts contain cardiac glycosides, posing risks of severe cardiac and gastrointestinal complications.
• Published Australian case reports on oleander toxicity are historical, lacking current management insights.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of intentional oleander ingestion by two family members.
• To describe the differing clinical presentations, diagnosis, and successful management.
• To improve healthcare professional awareness of oleander toxicity, particularly in pre-hospital and emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• Detailed case report of two patients with intentional oleander leaf ingestion.
• Clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, and treatment interventions are described.
• Review of current management strategies for oleander toxicity.

Main Results:

• Two family members presented with oleander toxicity following intentional ingestion.
• Successful management and recovery were achieved for both patients.
• Varied clinical presentations were observed between the two individuals.

Conclusions:

• Oleander toxicity requires prompt recognition and management in emergency settings.
• This case highlights the importance of updated clinical awareness and treatment protocols.
• Effective management can lead to successful patient outcomes despite severe toxicity.