Formed Visual Hallucinations as Digitalis Toxicity
Authors: BRUCE T. VOLPE
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1979)

Brief Reports1 December 1979Formed Visual Hallucinations as Digitalis ToxicityBRUCE T. VOLPE, M.D., ROSEMARY SOAVE, M.D.BRUCE T. VOLPE, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROSEMARY SOAVE, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-91-6-865 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptWhile the cardiac symptoms of digitalis excess are well known and their recognition is facilitated by data on the serum digitalis level, the noncardiac neurologic symptoms of digitalis toxicity may precede the arrhythmia and obscure the diagnosis (1, 2). We report the cases of three patients who had digitalis intoxication and an unusual central nervous system toxic manifestation, formed visual hallucinations. The lack of electrocardiographic clues and the failure to recognize that hallucinations may be associated with digitalis toxicity resulted in delayed diagnosis. The apparitions experienced by our patients were more complex than the scotomas, flashing geometric patterns, zigzags, or...References1. SMITH T and HABER E. Digitalis: I. N Engl J Med. 1973;289:945-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. DOERING W and KONIG E. Digitalis intoxication: specificity of clinical and electrocardiographic signs. In: BODEM G, BENGLOR HJ, eds. Cardiac Glycosides. New York: Springer-Verlag; 1978:358-66. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. CARROLL F. Visual symptoms caused by digitalis. Am J Ophthalmol. 1945;28:373-6. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. CHURCH G and MARRIOTT H. Digitalis delirium: a report on three cases. Circulation. 1959;20:549-53. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. SHEAR M and SACKS M. Digitalis delirium: psychiatric manifestations. Int J Psychiatry Med. 1977-1978;8:371-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. LELY A and VAN ENTER C. Non-cardiac symptoms of digitalis intoxication. Am Heart J. 1972;83:149-52. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. ROBERTSON D, HOLLENHORST R, and CALLAHAN J. Ocular manifestations of digitalis toxicity. Arch Ophthalmol. 1966;76:640-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. LANCE J. Simple formed hallucinations confined to the area of specific visual field defect. Brain. 1976;99:719-34. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. SOMBERG J and SMITH T. Localization of the neurally mediated arrhythmogenic properties of digitalis. Science. 1979;204:321-3. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. BORISON H and WANG S. Physiology and pharmacology of vomiting. Pharmacol Rev. 1953;5:193-230. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: BRUCE T. VOLPE, M.D.; ROSEMARY SOAVE, M.D. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byColored floaters as a manifestation of digoxin toxicityCardiac glycosidesSpectrum of digoxin-induced ocular toxicity: a case report and literature reviewNeurologic complications of arrhythmia treatmentPSYCHOLOGICAL AND PSYCHIATRIC ADVERSE EFFECTS OF NON-PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGSANTIDYSRHYTHMIC DRUGSAsymmetry in the emotional content of lateralised multimodal hallucinations following right thalamic strokeCardiac glycosidesPossible Ergotamine-Caffeine–Associated DeliriumDelirium Presenting With Symptoms of DepressionRisk factors and manifestations of digoxin toxicity in the elderlyRecognition and management of digitalis intoxication: Implications for emergency medicinePsychiatric Aspects of Congestive Heart Failure: Implications for Consulting PsychiatristsNeurological complications of cardiovascular therapyDrug-Induced Psychiatric Disorders and their ManagementAcute digitalis poisoning: The role of intravenous magnesium sulfateReferencesThe Intensive Care Unit Syndrome: Causes, Treatment, and PreventionPart III Digitalis glycosides: Mechanisms and manifestations of toxicityPart II Digitalis glycosides: Mechanisms and manifestations of toxicityPart I Digitalis glycosides: Mechanisms and manifestations of toxicityScotomas Secondary to Digoxin IntoxicationDigitalis poisoning: Historical and forensic aspectsAcute and chronic digitalis toxicity: Presentation and treatmentGlykosidintoxikation und deren BehandlungThe Use of Brain Digoxin Concentrations to Confirm Blood Digoxin ConcentrationsDrug-associated psychiatric disturbances in medical inpatientsCardiac glycosides and drugs used in dysrhythmiasNightmares From DigoxinM. BREZIS, M.D., J. MICHAELI, M.D., R. HAMBURGER, M.D. 1 December 1979Volume 91, Issue 6Page: 865-866KeywordsArrhythmiaCentral nervous systemElectrocardiographyHallucinationsIntoxicationToxicity ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1979 PDF downloadLoading ...