Cardiac toxicity can be a prominent feature following a cobra bite. Continuous cardiac monitoring may be required during management.
Each species of cobra may contain multiple cardiotoxins in its venom.
Manifestations of the cardio toxicity:
(1) cardiac arrhythmia (ventricular ectopic beats; ventricular bigeminy)
(2) prolongation of the QTc interval
(3) direct myocyte toxicity
(4) ischemic injury, possibly from vasospasm
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction may exacerbate cardiotoxic effects, with tachycardia, hypotension or hypertension.
Complications:
(1) takotsubo cardiomyopathy (which may be related to event-related stress)
In theory serum troponin should be elevated.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
Specialty: Toxicology, Cardiology
