Analysis of Electrocardiographic Changes in Patients with Scorpion Sting

Scorpion stings are a major health problem in tropical countries like Africa, India where the incidence of serious envenomations are very high. Among the different species of scorpions available, the Indian red scorpion, Mesobuthus tamulus is of medical importance in India as it constitute cardiotoxins. So the Aim of this study is to examine the electrocardiographic changes of patient stung by scorpions. Forty six patients stung by scorpions for the period June 2013 to July 2015 were selected. 12 lead derivations electrocardiography (ECGs) was performed to all patients. The determined parameters were: PR segment and QRS duration, QTmin, QTmax, QTc, QT dispersion (QTd) intervals, minimum P wave duration (PWmin), maximum P wave duration (PWmax) and P wave dispersion (PWd). Thirty six patients (17 males and 19 females, mean age: 36.7±13.7 years) were included in this analysis. Heart rate (84, 5±13, 8 beat/min), QRS (98, 8±11, 8 msn), QTc (412±27, 4 msn), QTd (412±27, 4 msn), PWmin (412±27, 4msn) and PWd (41, 4±19, 7 msn) were found. Scorpion sting lead to changes in the ECG with most common changes were ST changes, sinus tachycardia, atrial ectopic beat, bradycardia, and ventricular ectopic beat.