Acute Myocardial Infarction after a Bee Sting.
- Author:
Young Gi MIN
;
Yoon Seok JUNG
;
In Cheol PARK
;
Joon Pil CHO
;
Seung Jae TAK
- Publication Type:Case Report
- MeSH:
Anaphylaxis;
Bees*;
Bites and Stings*;
Constriction, Pathologic;
Coronary Angiography;
Coronary Vessels;
Electrocardiography;
Epinephrine;
Humans;
Inferior Wall Myocardial Infarction;
Myocardial Infarction*;
Myocardial Ischemia;
Venoms;
Wasps
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2000;11(3):378-384
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Acute myocardial infarction after a bee sting is a very rare process. Among proposed mechanisms, vasospasm of the coronary artery is the most probable mechanism. Many mediators are included in the venom of wasps, and those mediators have vasoconstrictive properties and may constrict the coronary artery. Furthemore, those mediators have thrombogenic properties that lead to thrombogenesis in the coronary artery and aggravate myocardial ischemia. Epinephrine, commonly used in the management of anaphylactic shock, may further aggravate myocardial ischemia. We experienced two cases of acute myocardial infarction after a bee sting. In the first case, we could find no underlying abnormalities of the coronary vessel because the patient died during coronary angiography. In the second case, the electrocardiogram showed inferior wall myocardial infarction, but only mild stenosis of the right coronary artery was seen in coronary angiography.
