Management of scorpion sting: prazosin or dobutamine.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the efficacy of Dobutamine and Prazosin in the management of cases with scorpion sting.


METHODS
Pediatric intensive care unit of an affiliated hospital of a medical university.


METHODS
Forty-two children with scorpion sting.


METHODS
The involved victims were divided alternatively into two groups. Twenty-one patients were treated with intravenous Dobutamine infusion and other 21 received oral Prazosin.


METHODS
Percent-rise in left-ventricular ejection fraction in first 24 h after institution of the therapy, time taken in recovery from pulmonary edema, requirement of any additional drug and supportive measures, and mortality.


RESULTS
The time taken in recovery from pulmonary edema was significantly shorter in cases treated with prazosin (28 +/- 18.3 vs. 72 +/- 0 h), the p-value being <0.05. Faster improvement of various parameters was observed in prazosin group in comparison to the dobutamine group. Mortality in both the groups was equal.


CONCLUSIONS
Prazosin and dobutamine, both are useful drugs for management of cardiovascular features of scorpion envenomation, nevertheless, prazosin is slightly better than dobutamine in terms of faster recovery, and also because of its ease of administration and low cost of therapy.
Gupta
B D
BD
Department of Pediatrics, Umaid Hospital for Women & Children, Regional Institute of Maternal & Child Health, Dr Sampurnanand Medical College, Jodhpur, India.
Parakh
M
M
Purohit
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004280:Dobutamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D011224:Prazosin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D065008:Scorpion Stings / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012605:Scorpions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004280:Dobutamine; D011224:Prazosin