Role of prazosin on cardiovascular manifestations and pulmonary edema following severe scorpion stings in Saudi Arabia.
We report the ameliorating effects of prazosin on the cardiovascular CV manifestations and pulmonary edema PE after treatment with antivenom AV failed to improve the conditions of scorpion stung patients. Three cases of scorpion envenoming, 2 children and one adult, were received at the Accident and Emergency Department of Al-Birk Hospital, Asir Region, Saudi Arabia. They presented to the hospital late with features of severe perspiration, tachypnea, restlessness, drooling of saliva, priapism, sinus tachycardia, PE, and shock like syndrome. When polyvalent scorpion PVS AV and intensive supportive treatment failed to show any improvement, prazosin was administered to the patients, which resulted in dramatic improvement in the conditions of the patients. We conclude that PVS AV may not be beneficial in all cases of scorpion envenomation, and prazosin may be an effective alternative for treating scorpion sting cases with CV manifestations and PE.
Al-Asmari
Abdulrahman K
AK
Department of Research Center and Medicine, Riyadh Military Hospital, Riyadh 11159, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. abdulrahman.alasmari@gmail.com
Al-Seif
Abdulaziz A
AA
Hassen
Mohsen A
MA
Abdulmaksood
Nabil A
NA
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011224:Prazosin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D012605:Scorpions; D012770:Shock, Cardiogenic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D000997:Antivenins; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D012604:Scorpion Venoms; D011224:Prazosin