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Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med · Aug 2018
Case ReportsFatality Following Intentional Ingestion of Cerbera odollam Seeds.
- Ryan Misek, Glenn Allen, Valerie LeComte, and Nicholas Mazur.
- Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Downers Grove, Illinois.
- Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. 2018 Aug 1; 2 (3): 223-226.
AbstractSeeds from the mangrove plant Cerbera (C.) odollam, known as the "suicide tree," are responsible for a significant number of plant deaths worldwide but are not well recognized in Western medicine. Cerberin is a cardiac glycoside concentrated in the plant's seeds, which causes disrupted cardiac electrical activity leading to fatal dysrhythmias. We present a fatal case of intentional C. odollam seed ingestion. The patient experienced high-degree heart block and cardiac arrest despite supportive treatment and digoxin immune fab administration. Clinicians should be aware of the potential morbidity and mortality associated with C. odollam poisoning and be prepared for resuscitative interventions.
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