European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

AN UNUSUAL PRESENTATION OF SCORPION STING CAUSING BRADYCARDIA, HYPOTENSION AND PULMONARY EDEMA

Virendra C. Patil and Harsha V. Patil

ABSTRACT

Scorpion envenomation is common in tropical and subtropical regions. Although the yellow scorpion is considered the most dangerous of the species since it causes cardiac toxicity, several case reports have described temporary electrocardiographic changes following envenomation by the black and red scorpion. The most common changes were ST changes, sinus tachycardia, atrial ectopic beat, bradycardia, and ventricular ectopic beat. A direct effect of scorpion venom on the myocardial has also been shown in several studies. Cardiac dysfunction might be due to myocardial ischemia, whether related to massive catecholamine outpouring or coronary abnormality. The present case report highlight the bradycardia, hypotension, electrocardiographic changes in the form of tall tented hyper-acute „T‟ waves and acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema in patients with envenoming following a scorpion sting.

Keywords: Scorpion envenomation, Cardiac dysfunction, pulmonary edema, scorpion sting.