Electrocardiologic and Echocardiographic Findings in Patients With Scorpion Sting

which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Scorpion sting is a major public health problem in many parts of the world. High prevalence, severity of symptoms and difficulty of treatment are problems of scorpion sting (1). This problem is more prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. These areas include the North-and the Ande-an region (2). The most acceptable hypotheses for patho-genesis of cardiac damage secondary to scorpion bites are increase catecholamine due to the direct stimulatory effect of scorpion venom on the adrenal glands or a direct sympathomimetic cardiac effect of the venom (3). ECG changes resulting from scorpion stings maybe recorded on admission or several hours later. These changes could have a very wide range. Earliest recorded findings are sinus tachycardia. However, the percentage of patients with bradycardia may also be present (4). Changes in echocardiography could include reduced left ventricular function, enlarged left ventricle and reduced end diastol-ic volume (EDV), reduced end systolic volume (ESV) and reduced ejection fraction (EF) (5). The aim of the present study is examine the electrocardiography and echocar-diography changes in patients presenting with envenom-ing following a scorpion sting. Forty-three patients, who had admitted to Shahid Mohammadi Hospital (General teaching hospital in Bandar Abass, Iran) due to scorpion sting between March and September 2008, were included to this cross sectional study. Patients, who had history of heart diseases, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, over 60 years old and unknown bite were excluded. Patients were assigned to one of three clinical states, mild, moderate and severe (6). Standard 12 lead electrocardiography and trans-thoracic echocardiography (M-Mode and B-Mode) were performed for patients. Electrocardiography was performed at admission time and every 6-hour. Echo-cardiography within 24 hours after admission were performed. Echocardiographic parameters that were evaluated that were included End Systolic Diameter (ESD), End Diastolic Diameter (EDD), EF, hypertrophy, regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) and the pericardium. Epi Info software (V.3.5.1 for widows) is used for statistical analysis. The data were analyzed using student's t-test and chi-square test. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Forty-three patients were included this analysis. The average age of the patients was 27.11 ± 10.10 years and 90% of patients were under 45 years (Table 1). Odontobuthus doriae (Buthidae) is dominant species in hormozgan provices (location of study) but we had not available to scorpion with patient for diagnosis species of scorpion. …