title: [Lethal intoxication with leaves of the yew tree (Taxus baccata) (author's transl)].
abstract: A case of a rare lethal intoxication with yew leaves (taxus baccata) is reported. The clinical signs were dizziness (onset 1 hr after yew leaves were ingested), nausea, diffuse abdominal pain, unconsciousness, weak breathing, tachycardia, brief ventricular flutter afterwards a slow pulse, and finally death by respiratory arrest and diastolic cardiac standstill. Particular attention was given to the ECG. It showed an atypical bundle branch block with a maximal QRS-duration of 0.24 sec. A striking resemblence to the ECG in the case of hyperkalemia is seen in that P-waves were absent. Therefore, the possibility is noted that an acute hyperkalemia could be partly responsible for the cardiotoxic effect of the leaf.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000506:poisoning; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000506:poisoning*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D012151:Resuscitation; D013405:Suicide; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced; D014197:Trees
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D002934:Cinnamates
vernacular_title: Tödliche Vergiftung mit Eibennadeln (Taxus baccata)