Cardiac Findings in Acute Yellow Oleander Poisoning

BACKGROUND:—: The Yellow Oleander is an ornamental tree that is common throughout the tropics. Ingestion of its seeds results in a clinical picture similar to digoxin toxicity. OBJECTIVES:—: The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiac findings in acute Yellow Oleander poisoning. METHODS AND MATERIALS: —: A total of 21 patients with history of Yellow Oleander ingestion were enrolled in this study. RESULTS:—: All symptomatic patients had conduction defects affecting the sinus node, theatrio-ventricular node or both. Patients showing cardiac arrhythmias that required specific management had significantly higher serum potassium concentrations. CONCLUSION: —: Most of the symptomatic patients had conduction defects affecting sinus or atrio-ventricular nodes but few had atrial or ventricular arrhythmias typical of digoxin poisoning.