Electrocardiologic and echocardiographic features of patients exposed to scorpion bite

Angiology. 2004 Jan-Feb;55(1):79-84. doi: 10.1177/000331970405500111.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine clinical progress and hemodynamic and electrocardiologic features (QT depression and heart rate variability [HRV]) of patients exposed to a scorpion bite. Seventeen patients bitten by scorpions, and, as a control group, 15 healthy subjects were included in the study. Standard electrocardiograph (ECG) records, 24-hour Holter-ECG, and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were performed. Holter ECG indicated sinus tachycardia, sinus bradycardia, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia, atrial fibrillation, first-degree and second-degree atrioventricular block not requiring treatment, early atrial beats, and early ventricular beats in the patients at frequencies of 82%, 12%, 35%, 12%, 8%, 70%, and 47%, respectively. HRV parameters that reflected parasympathetic activity (SD 35+/-13-43+/-16, RMS-SD: 20+/-9-30+/-12, high frequency: 7.8+/-2-4.3+/-3, p<0.05) were significantly lower (p<0.05). Low frequency, which especially showed sympathetic activity (LF: 11+/-13-11+/-23, p>0.05), was similar in both groups. In addition, the LF/HF ratio, which reflected sympathovagal balance, was significantly increased in the patient group (1.5+/-1-3.0+/-2, p=0.005). Corrected QT and QT dispersion values were not significantly different with respect to the control (p>0.05). In the patient group compared to the control, a significant decrease was determined in the proportion of mitral E velocity to mitral A velocity (mEv/mAv), diastolic filling period (DFP), and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), while a significant increase was noticed in pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) (mEv/mAv: 0.9+/-0.4-1.7+/-0.6, DFP: 362+/-8.5-425+/-89, LVEF: 53.1+/-6.7-68.6+/-5.8, PAP: 38.1+/-13-27.2+/-6, p<0.05). Scorpion bite leads to serious cardiovascular disorders, associated with decreased HRV, decreased systolic and diastolic functions, increased arrhythmic events, and hemodynamic disturbance with sympathetic and parasympathetic balance disturbance.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Echocardiography, Doppler*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prognosis
  • Scorpion Stings / complications
  • Scorpion Stings / diagnosis*
  • Scorpion Stings / diagnostic imaging
  • Scorpions*