A case of various clinical aspects associated with cardiotoxicity after glufosinate poisoning

Glufosinate-containing herbicides is a non-selective herbicide commonly used worldwide. As the use of them increased gradually since paraquat was banned in 2012, number suicides by their ingestion also increasing continuously. Complications glufosinate-containing poisoning include various central nervous system (CNS) toxicities such as convulsions, loss consciousness, memory impairment, and respiratory depression, which may be accompanied hemodynamic changes bradycardia hypotension. However, it very rare that arrhythmias other than occurred Takotsubo cardiomyopathy combined due to cardiotoxicity. A 71-year-old female patient transferred our hospital after ingesting 500 mL receiving 5 L gastric lavage at local hospital. few hours later, she presented stuporous mentality, hypotension bradycardia. On second day admission, electrocardiogram (ECG) showed QTc prolongation with Instability. Accordingly, we conducted early treatment continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) application temporary cardiac pacemaker. An echocardiogram demonstrated decreased ejection fraction (EF) on third admission. Then, discharged safely conservative treatment. At follow-up 1 year, cardiomyopathy, EF were recovered ECG. Because toxicity cause life-threatening consequences, caution required while treating patient. Therefore, if are seen elderly large amount glufosinate ingestion, additional function test through echocardiography should concerned, CRRT or artificial pacing considered.