Citation

Piskač O, Stríbrný J, Rakovcová H, Malý M. Cor Vasa 2015; 57(3): e234-e238.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Avicenum [etc.] Basel, distributed by Karger-Libri AG.)

DOI

10.1016/j.crvasa.2014.11.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The Common Yew (Taxus baccata) is an ornamental tree. The taxine alkaloids contained in yew berries, needles or bark are poisonous. The lethal dose for an adult is reported to be 50 g of yew needles. Patients who ingest a lethal dose frequently die due to cardiogenic shock, in spite of resuscitation efforts. Although no specific therapy exists, in some patients the asystole phase can be overcome by instituting extracorporeal membrane oxygen therapy (ECMO). Therapeutic procedures reported in the literature are only referred to in published case reports and it is not self-evident whether they have been effective or whether the patient had ingested a non-lethal dose of the toxins. In our case report, we describe lethal intoxication by common yew needles in a suicide attempt and summarize the treatment options referred to in literature. © 2014 The Czech Society of Cardiology.

Language: en

Keywords

adult; human; male; Poisoning; resuscitation; autopsy; case report; cause of death; hemodialysis; suicide attempt; drug intoxication; stomach lavage; noradrenalin; pH; cardiotoxicity; emergency health service; heart arrest; amiodarone; artificial ventilation; heart arrhythmia; adrenalin; defibrillation; endotracheal intubation; heart ventricle fibrillation; potassium; potassium blood level; nasogastric tube; bradycardia; sinus tachycardia; lactate blood level; catecholamine; QRS complex; Article; Arrhythmia; continuous infusion; cardiogenic shock; acidosis; heart pacing; lung hemorrhage; Heart failure; lactic acid; Taxus baccata; Yew; ECMO