Abstract

Background: Mesobutus tamulus (Indian red scorpion) is one of the most common lethal venomous scorpion species in India. Scorpion venom is very well known to cause myocardial injury (Myocarditis). Antiscorpion venom is the specific treatment for scorpion sting aimed at neutralizing the venom. Since advent of ASV, its role in management scorpion sting and myocardial injury is in debate due to lack of evidence of benefit and availability. So here we are attempting a study to assess the efficacy of ASV in managing scorpion stings and associated myocardial injury.

Methods: The study was conducted in emergency medicine department in tertiary health care center in central part of Karnataka. It was study done between two groups with scorpion sting involving 26 patients. Group I consist of 12 patients managed without ASV. Group II consists of 14 patients managed with ASV. End results were compared in terms of requirement of mean prazosin dosage in mg, number of days dobutamine infusion, number days assisted ventilation and number of days to recover in each group. Group II result were compared retrospectively with group I.

Results: The study has shown that mean dosage requirement of prazosin {Group I(1.95) Vs Group II(1.21 )}, number of hours dobutamine infusion{Group I(2.17) Vs Group II( 1.42)}, number of hours of assisted ventilation{Group I(60) Vs Group II( 52)} and number of days required to recover{Group I(4.10) Vs Group II(3.09 )}in Group II managed with ASV was less compared to Group I who were managed without ASV. Study also showed that detoriation of patients due to cardiovascular complications managed with ASV were considerably reduced

Conclusions: ASV is safe, it can improve and prevent the cardiovascular complications. In management scorpion sting early administration of ASV reduces severity of envenomation and helps to recover in lesser duration

Keywords: scorpion bite, Antiscorpion venom.