A digoxin-like immunoreactive substance and atrioventricular block induced by a Chinese medicine "kyushin".
The attempted suicide by 2 women with a kyushin overdose is reported. Kyushin caused them to produce a significant elevation of a serum digoxin-like immunoreactive substance (2.35 and 1.84 ng/ml) and symptoms of nausea, vomiting and general malaise. Their blood biochemistry and electrolytes were normal. In one patient, an electrocardiogram revealed a second degree Wenckebach atrioventricular block and T-wave change. Toad venom, a kyushin ingredient, is possibly responsible for the development of these clinical features and electrocardiographic changes.
Lin
C S
CS
Department of Internal Medicine, Chung Shan Medical & Dental College Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Lin
M C
MC
Chen
K S
KS
Ho
C C
CC
Tsai
S R
SR
Ho
C S
CS
Shieh
W H
WH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000664:Amphibian Venoms / Q000506:poisoning; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D002298:Cardenolides; D004077:Digoxin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000506:poisoning*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D012503:Saponins; D013406:Suicide, Attempted
D000664:Amphibian Venoms; D001798:Blood Proteins; D002298:Cardenolides; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012503:Saponins; C034504:digoxin-like factors; D004077:Digoxin