Clinical relationship between blood concentration and clinical symptoms in aconitine intoxication

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. (c) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Aconitine, a toxic substance with potential therapeutic effects, can be fatal due to its high toxicity and low safety margin. Research has shown that there is no direct correlation between blood concentration of aconitine and clinical manifestations, with patients having slower symptom development but more severe clinical manifestations when blood concentration is below a certain level.