Tentative de suicide par intoxication au laurier rose traitée par anticorps antidigitaliques

Abstract

Poisoning with oleander (Nerium oleander) is rare but serious. The plant contains a cardiotonic heteroside, oleandrine, which can lead to death from cardiac arrest. The authors present the case of an 86-year-old patient who attempted to end her life by ingesting an infusion of oleander leaves. Faced with the appearance of cardiac conduction disorders, hyperkalaemia and a positive determination of digoxin carried out in immunoanalysis (0.7ng/mL), the patient quickly received treatment with anti-digitalis antibodies in two administrations (40mg then 80mg) followed by a favorable clinical outcome in intensive care unit.