Taxine alkaloid poisoning successfully supported with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a case report. Issue 2 (11th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ward, Catherine; Meeks, Daveena; Trimlett, Richard; Alçada, Joana
• Editors: Dastidar, Amardeep Ghosh
• Is Part Of: European heart journal. Volume 6:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-02-11
• Subjects: European yew tree -- Taxus baccata -- Poisoning -- Mechanical circulatory support -- Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -- Case report; Cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Heart -- Diseases -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1093/ehjcr/ytac039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2514-2119

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Ingestion of the berries of the European yew tree can result in fatal cardiac arrhythmias. Case summary: A 53-year-old female presented to our emergency department following ingestion of ∼200 European yew tree berries. At presentation, she was in cardiogenic shock due to a mixture of tachy- and bradyarrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation with slow ventricular response and prolonged ventricular conduction, and periods of asystole. She was referred to a specialist cardiac centre and promptly established on mechanical circulatory support with venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) by a retrieval team. Following resolution of her arrhythmias, she was weaned from V-A ECMO after 4 days of support and was discharged home with full neurological recovery on Day 12. Discussion: Poisoning can lead to acute reversible but potentially fatal cardiogenic shock. We believe that access to prompt initiation of V-A ECMO was key to this patient's survival.