Citation

Schulte T. Arch. Toxicol. 1975; 34(2): 153-158.

Vernacular Title

Todliche Vergiftung mit Eibennadeln (Taxus baccata)

Copyright

(Copyright © 1975, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1242888

Abstract

A case of a rare lethal intoxication with yew leaves (taxus baccata) is reported. The clinical signs were dizziness (onset 1 hr after yew leaves were ingested), nausea, diffuse abdominal pain, unconsciousness, weak breathing, tachycardia, brief ventricular flutter afterwards a slow pulse, and finally death by respiratory arrest and diastolic cardiac standstill. Particular attention was given to the ECG. It showed an atypical bundle branch block with a maximal QRS-duration of 0.24 sec. A striking resemblence to the ECG in the case of hyperkalemia is seen in that P-waves were absent. Therefore, the possibility is noted that an acute hyperkalemia could be partly responsible for the cardiotoxic effect of the leaf.

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