Cardiac Poison
Definition: Cardiac poison or cardiac toxin is a substance that affects the heart and its functioning. It can cause various cardiac symptoms such as arrhythmias, conduction disorders, and cardiac arrest.
Key Points:
- Cardiac poisons can be due to various substances such as digitalis, aconitine, and quinine.
- Symptoms of cardiac poisoning include palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and syncope.
- Postmortem findings may include cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and edema.
- Toxicological analysis can be done to confirm the presence of cardiac poisons.
- Treatment of cardiac poisoning depends on the substance and the severity of the symptoms.
- Death may occur due to cardiac arrest, arrhythmias, or conduction disorders.
Mechanism of Action:
- Cardiac poisons can affect the heart by altering its electrical activity.
- They can also cause changes in cardiac ion channels and receptors.
- Some cardiac poisons can cause vasodilation or vasoconstriction.
Symptoms and Signs:
- Palpitations
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Syncope
- Cardiac arrest
Postmortem Changes:
- Cardiac hypertrophy
- Fibrosis
- Edema
Toxicological Analysis:
- Blood and tissue samples can be analyzed for the presence of cardiac poisons.
- Various techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, and immunoassays can be used.
Treatment:
- Supportive care such as oxygen therapy and cardiac monitoring.
- Medications such as atropine, lidocaine, and magnesium sulfate.
- In severe cases, cardiac pacing or defibrillation may be required.
Types of poison
Digitalis purpurea (Digitoxin, Digitalin, Digitalein, Digitonin)
- Digitalis purpurea is a plant-based cardiac poison.
- It is used in medicine to treat heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation.
- However, excessive consumption can lead to cardiac toxicity.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, visual disturbances, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Treatment involves administering an antidote such as digoxin-specific antibody fragments.
Aconite (Mitha-jahar)
- Aconite is a plant-based cardiac poison found in certain species of aconitum.
- It is known for its toxic properties and can cause cardiac, gastrointestinal, and neurological symptoms.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Treatment involves supportive care and administration of activated charcoal.
Nicotine
- Nicotine is a cardiac poison found in tobacco products.
- It can cause cardiac toxicity, especially in high doses.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Treatment involves supportive care and administration of activated charcoal.
Oleander (White, Yellow)
- Oleander is a plant-based cardiac poison.
- It contains toxic compounds that can cause cardiac toxicity.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Treatment involves supportive care and administration of activated charcoal.
Cerbera odollam (Suicide tree)
- Cerbera odollam is a plant-based cardiac poison.
- It is known for its toxic properties and can cause cardiac toxicity.
- Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and cardiac arrhythmias.
- Treatment involves supportive care and administration of activated charcoal.