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Case Reports
. 2012 Sep 12:5:500.
doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-5-500.

Acute myocardial infarction following a possible direct intravenous bite of Russell's viper (Daboia russelli)

Anjana Silva  1 , Senaka Pilapitiya, Sisira Siribaddana
Affiliations
Case Reports

Acute myocardial infarction following a possible direct intravenous bite of Russell's viper (Daboia russelli)

Anjana Silva et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Background: Russell's viper (Daboia russelli) bites lead to high morbidity and mortality in South Asia. Although variety of clinical manifestations is reported in viper bite victims, myocardial ischemic events are rare.

Case presentation: We report a unique case of inferior wall ST elevation myocardial infarction due to a Russell's viper bite over a vein with possible direct intravenous envenoming, in a young male with no past history or family history suggestive of ischemic cardiac disease, from Sri Lanka. In addition, the possible mechanisms of myocardial ischemia in snake bite victims are also briefly discussed.

Conclusion: Importance of the awareness of physicians on the rare, yet fatal manifestations of snake envenoming is highlighted.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Twelve- lead Echocardiogram of the victim, taken 2 hours after the viper bite: note the ST elevations in LIII and aVF leads.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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