eISSN: 1731-2531
ISSN: 1642-5758
Anaesthesiology Intensive Therapy
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Supplements Editorial board Reviewers Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Publication charge Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
Search

Open access

without publication fees

Journal integrated with

integrated with publons
5/2019
vol. 51
 
Share:
Send email
Share:
abstract:
Review paper

Yew poisoning – pathophysiology, clinical picture, management and perspective of fat emulsion utilization

Aleksander Rutkiewicz
1
,
Paweł Schab
1
,
Andrzej Kubicius
2
,
Filip Szeremeta
1
,
Franciszek Małysz
1
,
Janusz Dadok
1
,
Agnieszka Misiewska-Kaczur
1

  1. Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy, Silesian Hospital in Cieszyn, Poland
  2. Cardiac Department in Cieszyn, Upper-Silesian Medical Centre in Katowice, Poland
Anaesthesiol Intensive Ther 2019; 51, 5: 404–408
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/ait.2019.89952
Online publish date: 2019/11/26
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
The article presents pathophysiology, clinical picture and management of yew poisoning. Authors present also their own experiences with treating yew poisoning with fat emulsion.

Plants of the yew genus, of which in Europe predominates Taxus baccata, are well known for their toxic properties. Particularly high concentrations of poisonous alkaloids are present in the needles of this evergreen and highly popular decorative plant.

The danger associated with accidental or intentional ingestion of yew is primarily related to the cardiotoxic effects of the alkaloids (taxine A and B). Taxine B shows a much stronger toxic effect on the heart than taxine A. It affects atrio-ventricular conduction, what may result in a widening of the QRS complexes, atrio-ventricular blocks (A-V) of II/III degree and even in asystole.

Yew poisoning is relative rare and evidence-based treatment guidelines on management of such poisoning is hard to prepare. The first-line treatement should base on suportive therapy. In some cases extracorporeal life support therapies such veno-arterial ECMO should be consider. There are also premise based on case reports and mechanism of action that the use of fat emulsion may be effective rescue treatment.
keywords:

yew, poisoning, lipid emulsions, heart arrhythmias
Termedia
About us Contact
Copyright notice Privacy policy Advertising policy Contact us
Quick links
Journals Books eBooks Events
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.