title: [Fatal exposure to Aconitum napellus].
abstract: Fatal exposure to poisonous plants in northern Europe is a rare condition. In this case report we describe an intended poisoning with Aconitum napellus (monkshood), which contains the toxin aconitine. The lethal dose in adults is 3-6 mg. The toxin affects excitable cells such as neurons and myocytes causing degrees of unconsciousness, hypotension and cardiac arrhythmias. There is no antidote and treatment is symptomatic. We describe a patient who had eaten monkshood. She was treated with infusion of lidocaine and survived. After 24 hours of treatment and monitoring she was discharged from the intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Anæstesi- og operationsafdelingen, Regionshospitalet Viborg, Heibergs Allé 4, 8800 Viborg, Denmark. rahrgerman@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Jørgen Rahr
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: German Jørgensen
authors.forename: Anne Elsborg
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Andersen
mesh_terms: D000157:Aconitine / Q000506:poisoning; D031841:Aconitum / Q000506:poisoning*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D008012:Lidocaine; D000157:Aconitine