Abstract
Background
Aconitine is well-known for its potential analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and circulation
promoting effects and has been widely used as a folk medicine in South Korea. Owing
to its extremely toxic nature and relatively low safety margin, intoxication is sometimes
fatal. The toxic compound mainly affects the central nervous system, heart, and muscle,
resulting in cardiovascular complications.
Purpose
To determine the exact relationship between blood concentration of aconitine and clinical
manifestation.
Basic procedures
The National Forensic Service (NFS) was commissioned to assist in a quantitative analysis
of highly toxic aconitine and corresponding blood concentrations by analyzing the
body fluids of three patients who were suspected of aconitine poisoning.
Main findings
Aconitine blood values tested by the NFS showed that patients with a blood concentration
below a certain level developed symptoms slowly and showed a high severity of clinical
manifestation. There was no correlation between blood concentration and symptoms or
ECG results.
Conclusions
In case of suspected aconitine poisoning, an emergency care department should be visited,
even with symptomatic improvement, and the patient should be monitored for at least
24 h, depending on the level of recovery and changes in ECG results.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: November 06, 2020
Accepted:
November 1,
2020
Received:
July 21,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
