Suicidal Zinc Phosphide Poisoning Unmasking Brugada Syndrome and Triggering Near Fatal Ventricular Arrhythmia

• DOI: 10.1111/pace.12749
• Publication Date: 2015-09-09T11:20:05Z
• Authors: MUKUND A. PRABHU; REYNOLD AGUSTINUS; JAYAPRAKASH SHENTHAR
• Keywords: Male; Phosphines; India; Suicide, Attempted; 3. Good health; Electrocardiography; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Zinc Compounds; Ventricular Fibrillation; Humans; Aged; Brugada Syndrome

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is an inherited channelopathy associated with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and has many acquired triggers. Zinc phosphide (ZnP) is a rodenticide and is commonly implicated in suicidal poison ingestion. ZnP poisoning can cause myocardial toxicity and death. We report a case of ZnP poisoning that triggered a type I Brugada pattern and ventricular fibrillation in a 67‐year‐old male. He had no other features of toxicity and recovered later. As metal phosphide is the commonest toxin involved in suicidal poisoning in India and BrS being endemic here, this case highlights an important clinical problem.