Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion

The candlenut tree is a tropical plant that has a vast number of uses which include fertilizer, dye, ink for tattooing, and fuel. The inner seed of the nut is the most utilized portion of the plant and is often sold as a food additive, natural laxative, or a weight loss supplement. Unfortunately, th...

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Main Authors: Osayi Lawani, Mark Winter
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2022-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Cardiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/3679968
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author Osayi Lawani
Mark Winter
author_facet Osayi Lawani
Mark Winter
author_sort Osayi Lawani
collection DOAJ
description The candlenut tree is a tropical plant that has a vast number of uses which include fertilizer, dye, ink for tattooing, and fuel. The inner seed of the nut is the most utilized portion of the plant and is often sold as a food additive, natural laxative, or a weight loss supplement. Unfortunately, the seed itself is very toxic when consumed whole and in its raw state. Typical symptoms of toxicity include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, it can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, most commonly bradycardia and atrioventricular heart block. We present a case of a young adult female with no significant past medical history who developed typical symptoms of toxicity, as well as atrioventricular heart block following ingestion of a candlenut. Most documented cases describe complete resolution of gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms about one week following ingestion; however, treatment while inpatient can consist of inotropes or vasopressor support, intravenous fluid hydration, electrolyte replacement, and antiemetics. Although the mechanism of action remains unclear, this report provides physicians with an understanding of the risks of ingestion and the knowledge of typical management of the toxic effects of the candlenut.
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spelling doaj-art-7d2bf1a89c8e4b04886fee677f2ba5c62025-08-20T03:35:29ZengWileyCase Reports in Cardiology2090-64122022-01-01202210.1155/2022/3679968Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut IngestionOsayi Lawani0Mark Winter1University of Houston College of Medicine/HCA Houston HealthcareSoutheast Texas Poison CenterThe candlenut tree is a tropical plant that has a vast number of uses which include fertilizer, dye, ink for tattooing, and fuel. The inner seed of the nut is the most utilized portion of the plant and is often sold as a food additive, natural laxative, or a weight loss supplement. Unfortunately, the seed itself is very toxic when consumed whole and in its raw state. Typical symptoms of toxicity include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Rarely, it can cause cardiac dysrhythmias, most commonly bradycardia and atrioventricular heart block. We present a case of a young adult female with no significant past medical history who developed typical symptoms of toxicity, as well as atrioventricular heart block following ingestion of a candlenut. Most documented cases describe complete resolution of gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms about one week following ingestion; however, treatment while inpatient can consist of inotropes or vasopressor support, intravenous fluid hydration, electrolyte replacement, and antiemetics. Although the mechanism of action remains unclear, this report provides physicians with an understanding of the risks of ingestion and the knowledge of typical management of the toxic effects of the candlenut.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/3679968
spellingShingle Osayi Lawani
Mark Winter
Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
Case Reports in Cardiology
title Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
title_full Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
title_fullStr Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
title_full_unstemmed Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
title_short Heart Block Initiated by Candlenut Ingestion
title_sort heart block initiated by candlenut ingestion
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2022/3679968
work_keys_str_mv AT osayilawani heartblockinitiatedbycandlenutingestion
AT markwinter heartblockinitiatedbycandlenutingestion