Cardiovascular Manifestations in Argemone Mexicana Poisoning (Epidemic Dropsy)

Cardiovascular manifestations have been studied in 11 patients with argemone oil poisoning. Tachycardia, alterations in the heart sounds, cardiac enlargement, or electrocardiographic and ballistocardiographic changes indicated myocardial involvement in every case. The latter was suggestive of a nonspecific type of myocarditis and was considered to be of a minor nature. The prominent manifestations included dyspnea, edema, hepatic enlargement, and pulmonary congestion. The last 3 were probably due to capillary dilatation, whereas the cause of dyspnea was uncertain. These manifestations suggested the presence of cardiac failure, which, however, was considered unlikely except in 1 case.