Aconitine-induced cardiac arrhythmia.

Renewed interest in the pharmacological action of aconitine has followed the work of Sherf (1947), Prinzmetal et al. (1950 and 1951), and Brown and Acheson (1952). Its use in experimental medicine produces stimulus formation in the dog's heart with auricular tachycardia and in certain circumstances ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation: it has become a useful tool in the hands of the research cardiologist. On the other hand though it has long been used by physicians both externally and internally, there is very little information as to its effect upon the human heart and circulation. Such as there is has been confined to the observation of the pulse rate and character. Hartung (1930) described electrocardiographic changes in a case of aconite poisoning which demonstrated a sinus bradycardia and first degree heart block; since then no further evidence has been published and it is the purpose of this communication to report a case with unequivocal evidence of the relation of the drug to the arrhythmia. Before doing so, some facts about this interesting alkaloid may be useful.