Acute Myocardial Infarction following a possible direct intravenous bite of Russells viper (Daboia russelli)

Abstract

Background: Russells 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 Russells 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. © 2012 Silva et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.