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[Threatening arrhythmia by uncommon digitalic toxicosis (author's transl)]
Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia
|January 1, 1981
Summary
Helleborus viridis ingestion can cause severe cardiac arrhythmias and hypotension, mimicking digitalis toxicity. Prompt treatment with glucose, electrolytes, and xylocaine can aid recovery in such cases of plant poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Cardiology
- Ethnobotany
Background:
- Helleborus viridis, commonly known as green hellebore, is a plant that can be mistaken for edible wild vegetables.
- Accidental ingestion of toxic plants can lead to severe clinical manifestations.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old woman ingested Helleborus viridis buds, mistaking them for wild asparagus.
- The patient presented with life-threatening ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, gastrointestinal distress, and systemic hypotension.
Findings:
- The clinical presentation strongly resembled digitalis toxicity.
- Treatment involved infusions of glucose, potassium chloride, and magnesium sulfate, along with intravenous xylocaine.
- The patient showed clinical improvement following the administered treatment.
Implications:
- This case highlights the potential danger of mistaking toxic wild plants for edible ones.
- Healthcare providers should consider the possibility of toxic plant ingestion in patients presenting with unexplained, severe arrhythmias.
- Awareness of ethnobotanical knowledge and potential plant toxicities is crucial for emergency medicine and toxicology.