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Aesculus
Toxin: Cardioactive steroids
resembling digitalis. Clinical Findings: There are
no adequately documented human poisonings, and clinical descriptions are derived primarily from animal reports. Substantial ingestion may lead to toxicity. Poisoning would be expected to produce clinical Adonis annua findings typical of cardioactive steroids. Toxicity has a variable latent period that depends on the quantity ingested. Dysrhythmias are usually expressed as sinus bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions, atrioventricular conduction defects, or ventricular tachydysrhythmias. Hyperkalemia, if present, may be an indicator of toxicity. Management: Gastrointestinal decontamination as appropriate, serial electrocardiograms, and serum potassium determinations should be performed. If serious cardioactive steroid toxicity is considered, digoxin-specific Fab should be administered. Consultation with a Poison Control Center should be considered. See “Poisoning by Plants with Cardioactive Steroids/Cardiac Glycosides,” p. 24. References Cheung K, Hinds JA, Duffy P. Detection of poisoning by plant-origin cardiac glycoside with the Abbott TDx analyzer. Clin Chem 1989;35:295–297. Davies RL. Whyte PB. Adonis microcarpa (pheasant’s eye) toxicity in pigs fed field pea screenings. Aust Vet J 1989;66:141–143.
Aesculus species Family: Hippocastanaceae Aesculus californica (Spach) Nutt. Aesculus × carnea Hayne Aesculus flava Sol. (=A. octandra Marsh) Aesculus glabra Willd. Aesculus hippocastanum L. Aesculus pavia L. Aesculus sylvatica Bartr. Common Names: Buckeye, Bongay, Conquerors, Fish Poison, Horse Chestnut,
Marronnier, Marronnier d’Inde Description: There are about 13 species of Aesculus; they are large trees or shrubs. These plants have palmately compound leaves, usually with five leaflets