Korean Circ J.  2007 Jun;37(6):283-286. 10.4070/kcj.2007.37.6.283.

Toad Venom Poisoning Resembling Digitalis Intoxication and Hyperkalemia: A Case Report

• Hyun DW
• Kwon TG
• Kim KY
• Bae JH

• KMID: 1825863
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2007.37.6.283

Abstract

Toad toxin has digitalis-like cardioactive effects that include bradycardia, varying degrees of atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death. We report here on a 54-year-old man who had varying degrees of atrioventricular block and nonsustained ventricular tachycardia two hours after he ate a bowl of toad soup.

Keyword

Toad venoms; Digitalis

MeSH Terms

Amphibian Venoms*
Atrioventricular Block
Bradycardia
Death, Sudden, Cardiac
Digitalis*
Humans
Hyperkalemia*
Middle Aged
Poisoning*
Tachycardia, Ventricular
Ventricular Fibrillation
Amphibian Venoms

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 The serial electrocardiogram changes during admission. A: on admission, the electrocardiogram showed high degree atrioventricular block (AV) and PR prolongation. B: two days after admission, the electrocardiogram showed Wenchebach AV block. C: thirty four hours after admission, the electrocardiogram showed first degree AV block. D: three days after admission, the electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm and no abnormal findings.

• 

  Fig. 2 Electrocardiogram after intravenous atropine injection. A: after intravenous atropine injection, the electrocardiogram showed 1 to 1 and prolonged atrioventricular (AV) conduction. B: the long strip of lead II during atropine injection showed change of the high-degree AV block to 1 to 1 AV conduction.

• 

  Fig. 3 Electrocardiogram four hours after toad ingestion. The electrocardiogram showed non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. A: the 12 leads surface electrocardiogram. B: a long strip of the lead II.

• 

  Fig. 4 Cardioactive steroids are based on a steroid nucleus with either a five (cardenolides) or six (bufadienolides) member lactone ring.

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