Management of the cardiovascular manifestations of poisoning by the Indian red scorpion (Mesobuthus tamulus).
OBJECTIVE
The efficacy of nifedipine and prazosin in combination or alone in the management of cardiovascular manifestations caused to Mesobuthus tamulus poisoning was investigated.


METHODS
Observation and study.


METHODS
Hospital at Mahad, Maharashtra, India.


METHODS
62 patients who had been stung by a red scorpion were admitted from January to December 1990: 18 with hypertension, 15 with supraventricular tachycardia, 11 with pulmonary oedema, and 18 with local pain at the site of sting but no systemic involvement. Two patients with massive life-threatening pulmonary oedema were given intravenous sodium nitroprusside.


RESULTS
The combination of nifedipine and prazosin was more successful in preventing myocardial damage in 16 patients with hypertension than was nifedipine alone in two other patients with hypertension. Prazosin alone helped to alleviate the cardiovascular manifestations in eight patients with pulmonary oedema and 15 with supraventricular tachycardia. One patient with pulmonary oedema died and two recovered after they were given intravenous sodium nitroprusside.


CONCLUSIONS
Nifedipine alone did not prevent myocardial damage unless the peripheral action of venom was blocked by prazosin.
Bawaskar
H S
HS
Bawaskar Hospital, Research Centre, Mahadi Raigad, Maharashtra, India.
Bawaskar
P H
PH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000188:drug therapy; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000150:complications*; D012604:Scorpion Venoms / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012605:Scorpions; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000188:drug therapy; D013997:Time Factors
D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D009543:Nifedipine; D011224:Prazosin