Original Article

Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Patients Bitten by Scorpions

10.4170/JAEM.2009.86158

  • Behçet Al
  • Murat Sucu
  • Murat Çavdar
  • Demet Arı Yılmaz
  • Cuma Yıldırım
  • Vedat Davutoğlu

Received Date: 07.08.2009 Accepted Date: 18.08.2009 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2009;8(3):51-55

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study is to examine the electrocardiographic features of patient stung by scorpions.

METHODS:

Seventy six patients stung by scorpions were gathered in the study. 12 lead derivations electrocardiography (ECGs) was performed to all patients. The ECG which were performed when the patients had maximum (grade 3) pain were obtained for determination. 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).

RESULTS:

Seventh six patients (37 males and 39 females, mean age: 33,7±14,7 years) were included in this analysis. Heart rate, QRS duration, QTc, QTd, PWmin, and PWd which we found were 84,5±13,8 beat/min, 98,8±11,8 msn, 412±27,4 msn, 412±27,4 msn, 412±27,4msn and 41,4±19,7 msn respectively.

CONCLUSION:

Scorpion sting lead electrocardiografic variability. The most common changes were ST changes, sinus tachycardia, atrial ectopic beat, bradycardia, and ventricular ectopic beat.

Keywords: Electrocardiografic variability, Heart rate, Scorpion sting, S-T changes, QT dispersion