It could have happened to Van Gogh: a case of fatal purple foxglove poisoning and review of the literature.
Although death owing to the toxic effects of the therapeutic Digitalis lanata extract, digoxin has been reported, there are no reported cases of fatal Digitalis purpurea (digitoxin) plant intoxication in humans in the literature. We describe a case of ingestion of Digitalis purpurea in a 64-year-old man, which was fatal despite administration of Digibind. A review of the literature and aspects of management of plant digitalis poisoning are discussed.
Ramlakhan
Shammi L
SL
Emergency Department, Northern General Hospital, Sheffield S5 7AU, UK. shammi@doctors.org.uk
Fletcher
Alan K
AK
D001285:Atropine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004070:Digitalis / Q000506:poisoning*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood; D005197:Famous Persons; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013405:Suicide
D007140:Immunoglobulin Fab Fragments; C050199:digoxin antibodies Fab fragments; D002606:Charcoal; D004077:Digoxin; D001285:Atropine