| [ Summary ] |
Aconitine and its allied alkaloids (mesaconitine, hypaconitine and jeasaconitine) are the active principles of aconitum napellus whose synonyms, monk shood, wolfsbane. The fetal dose of aconitine in human is 2-3mg. Through its action on the fast sodium channels in the heart, aconitine has digitalis-like cardiotoxic effects, which commonly complicate serious cases. Ventricular arrhythmias (multifocal ectopic ventricular beats, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, Torsade de pointes) are often resistant to standard treatments including lidocaine and cardioversion. We describe a case of severe aconitine poisonig where full recovery occurred with hemofiltration therapy. Percutaneous cardio pulmonary support (PCPS) should be considered in cases of a refractory ventricular fibrillation. |