Irukandji syndrome, catecholamines, and mid-ventricular stress cardiomyopathy.
We present here the first reported case of mid-ventricular stress cardiomyopathy secondary to 'Irukandji syndrome', following envenomisation from a jellyfish. Carukia barnesi is a cubozoan or box jellyfish found in Far North Queensland, Australia prevalent during the warmer months of the year. It has been associated with 'Irukandji syndrome' as characterized by a sympathetic overdrive secondary to an excess of endogenous catecholamines release. There have been previous cases of sudden onset of left ventricular dysfunction and jellyfish. The author believes that this case is important because it highlights the possible association between the sudden release in catecholamines and stress cardiomyopathy.
Tiong
Keith
K
Department of Medicine, Cairns Base Hospital, The Esplanade, Queensland 4870, Australia. keithtiong@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001733:Bites and Stings; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002395:Catecholamines; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms / Q000506:poisoning*; D037462:Cubozoa; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy
D002395:Catecholamines; D003064:Cnidarian Venoms; D008274:Magnesium