Cardiac toxicity caused by Achyranthes aspera.

A 57-y-old man took over 1000 ml of a decoction made from Acyranthes aspera and was found unconscious in his bathroom. Hypotension and bradycardia were noted. The patient recovered 4 d later after dopamine and supportive care. There was no further cardiac abnormalities noted in serial cardiac examinations. We suggest that Achyranthes aspera causes a dose-related transient cardiovascular toxicity.