[Nerium oleander self poisoning treated with digoxin-specific antibodies].
A chronically depressed 44-year-old man was rescued by the French medicalised ambulance service four hours after the ingestion of Nerium oleander leaves in a suicide attempt. Cardiotoxicity was evidenced by the presence of bradycardia with mental confusion and vomiting. The patient was empirically treated in the prehospital phase with a single dose of digoxin-specific Fab antibody fragments (Digidot). In spite of this treatment, the patient presented a new episode of important bradycardia (25 b/minute). Thereafter, the patient's rhythm stabilized and neurological signs and vomiting resolved. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged from the intensive care unit two days later.
Bourgeois
B
B
Samu de Grenoble, CHU de Grenoble, BP 207, 38043 Grenoble, France. BBourgeois@chu-grenoble.fr
Incagnoli
P
P
Hanna
J
J
Tirard
V
V
D000328:Adult; D019138:Antibodies, Blocking / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D004077:Digoxin / Q000276:immunology*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D030007:Nerium / Q000506:poisoning*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy
D019138:Antibodies, Blocking; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; D004077:Digoxin