Logo image
Back
Cardiotoxicity resulting from yew plant (Taxus canadensis) ingestion
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Cardiotoxicity resulting from yew plant (Taxus canadensis) ingestion

Maricel Dela Cruz, Kristen McCloskey, Ahmed Mostafa, Muhammed Ershad, Rita McKeever and David Vearrier
Toxicology communications, v 2(1), pp 78-80
01 Jan 2018
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/24734306.2018.1532677
url
https://doi.org/10.1080/24734306.2018.1532677View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)CC BY V4.0,  Open

Abstract

cardiotoxicity taxine alkaloids Taxus canadensis Yew plant
We present a case of Taxus canadensis toxicity in a suicide attempt who recovered with supportive care. Taxus canadensis is an ornamental containing cardiotoxic taxine alkaloids that affect myocardial sodium and calcium channels. A 48-year-old woman with a past medical history of depression presented to the emergency department (ED) after eating a handful of branches, leaves, and berries from a yew plant in a suicide attempt 1 h prior to arrival. In the ED, she had a blood pressure of 75/57 mmHg and heart rate of 39 bpm. Her vital signs improved with 2 L of IV fluids and 0.5 mg of IV atropine. Thirty minutes later, her heart rate increased to 180 bpm into a wide-complex ventricular tachycardia with a QRS of 142 ms, and her blood pressure decreased to 80/55 mmHg. She underwent electrical cardioversion back to normal sinus rhythm, followed by amiodarone bolus and infusion. We also discuss alternative options for treatment in the setting of yew plant toxicity.

Metrics

3 Record Views

Details

Logo image