Open AccessCardiovascular complications in ciguatera fish poisoning: A wake-up call
Author(s) -
Subramanian Senthilkumaran,
Ramachandran Meenakshisundaram,
Andrew D. Michaels,
Suresh Ponnuswamy,
Ponniah Thirumalaikolundusubramanian
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
heart views
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0976-5123
pISSN - 1995-705X
DOI - 10.4103/1995-705x.90905
Subject(s) - ciguatoxin , ciguatera , medicine , bradycardia , ingestion , population , fish <actinopterygii> , heart rate , fishery , blood pressure , environmental health , biology
Ciguatera fish poisoning occurs with ingestion of fish containing ciguatoxin. It causes a clinical syndrome that comprises classic gastrointestinal, neurological and cardiovascular symptoms. Ciguatoxin is a sodium channel agonist with cholinergic and adrenergic activity. Although cardiovascular symptoms are rare with ciguatoxin, we report two cases with bradycardia and hypotension. Fatality and long-term sequelae are not uncommon with ciguatoxin poisoning and educating the general population is essential.