Herb Induced Aconite Poisoning and Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia

Cardiotoxicity after accidental herb-induced aconite poisoning.

Aconitine and its related alkaloids are known cardiotoxins with no therapeutic role in modern western medicine. The rootstocks of Aconitum plants, which contain aconite alkaloids, have been common components of Chinese herbal recipes. We have documented life-threatening intoxication in 17 Chinese subjects after accidental herb-induced aconite poisoning. All patients developed symptoms of aconit...

[Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia due to digitalis poisoning].

Digitalis intoxication is a frequent outcome of chronic treatment with digitalis glycosides but uncommon following accidental intake or self-poisoning.1 Ventricular arrhythmias are an expression of this complication and can usually be controlled thru conventional means including suspension of the drug. However, in the presence of potentially lethal arrhythmias and kidney failure difficult decis...

Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia.

Bidirectional ventricular tachycardia?

A 65-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of a syncopal episode with documented transient complete atrioventricular block. A DDD pacemaker was implanted. Post implantation, the patient was diagnosed with bidirectional ventricular tachycardia. Analysis of the arrhythmia and differential diagnosis is performed.

Bidirectional Ventricular Tachycardia: A Hallmark of Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia is a familial cardiac arrhythmia that is related to RYR2 or CASQ2 gene mutation. It occurs in patients with structurally normal heart and causes exercise-emotion triggered syncope and sudden cardiac death. We present a 13 year-old girl with recurrent episodes of exercise-related syncope and prior history of sudden death in a first degree rel...