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VOLUME 19 , ISSUE 4 ( 2015 ) > List of Articles

CASE REPORT

Scorpion bite, a sting to the heart!

Anand Kumar, Shuchi Consul

Keywords : Heart failure, myocardial infarction, scorpion bite

Citation Information : Kumar A, Consul S. Scorpion bite, a sting to the heart!. Indian J Crit Care Med 2015; 19 (4):233-236.

DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.154570

License: CC BY-ND 3.0

Published Online: 01-03-2016

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2015; The Author(s).


Abstract

Scorpion bites are common in India. Usually, these bites are harmless but sometimes have serious clinical sequelae, including death. We report herein a case of scorpion bite with electrocardiographic abnormalities simulating early myocardial infarction. Pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure accompanied these electrocardiographic changes as well as serum cardiac markers. The etiology of cardiovascular manifestations in severe scorpion sting is related to venom effect on sympathetic nervous system and the adrenal secretion of catecholamines as well as to the toxic effect of the venom on the myocardium itself. It is a rare case of scorpion sting presented as myocardial infarction and heart failure, successfully treated with Intensive Care Unit care, noninvasive ventilation, vasopressors, and antiischemic treatment.


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