BackgroundNeurological complications following snake and scorpion bite are diverse. Literature regarding patterns of cerebrovascular injury (CVI) and outcomes among these patients is scarce. This is a descriptive study of the clinical profile, brain imaging findings, mechanisms of injury, vascular territory involvement and outcomes of CVI following scorpion and snake envenomation, in a tertiary care center in South India.MethodologyPatients with scorpion sting- and snake envenomation-related complications were retrospectively enrolled. Neuroimaging was performed on five patients with each envenomation, and they were found to have neurological involvement. On imaging, three patients were found to have a CVI. Clinical, radiological parameters and outcomes of these patients were studied. We also performed a review of the literature and analyzed the finding of all the cases.ResultIn all, three patients each had evidence of CVI in imaging. An additional 32 reports of scorpion sting-related CVI and 35 reports of snake envenomation-related CVI were identified from the literature. There was a male predominance among these patients. Mean age of the patients with scorpion sting was 42.8 years as compared with 33 years for the patients with snake envenomation. Features of severe envenomation were present in all patients. Persistently depressed sensorium and new-onset focal neurological deficits were seen in 70% of all patients. Infarcts were seen in 88% of patients with snake envenomation and 53% of patients with a scorpion sting. Mortality was 28% among patients with a scorpion sting as compared with 8% with snake envenomation.ConclusionCerebrovascular injuries are uncommon neurological manifestations following scorpion and snake envenomation. These tend to occur in younger patients. Infarcts are more common than bleeds.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a syndrome of maternal heart failure with decreased left ventricular ejection fraction affecting maternal and fetal well-being. We analysed clinical profiles and outcomes in women with peripartum cardiomyopathy enrolled retrospectively from a tertiary care centre in southern India (1 January 2008–31 December 2014). The incidence of peripartum cardiomyopathy was one case per 1541 live births. Fifty-four women with a mean age of 25.5 years and mean gestational age of 35.4 weeks were recruited; 35 were primigravidae. Maternal and fetal deaths occurred in 9.3% and 24.1% of subjects, respectively. Mild-to-moderate maternal anaemia (80–110 g/L) was associated with fetal mortality (p = 0.02). Reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (<30%, p = 0.04) and cardiogenic shock (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with adverse maternal outcomes. Forty per cent of women were followed up after 24.2 ± 17.7 months, and in these women a significant increase in left ventricular ejection fraction was seen (mean 16.4%, p < 0.01); all were asymptomatic. Peripartum cardiomyopathy with poor left ventricular ejection fraction and shock is associated with adverse maternal outcomes, while non-severe maternal anaemia predisposes to adverse fetal outcomes. Significant left ventricular ejection fraction recovery occurred on follow-up.

Endocrine disorders manifest as a disturbance in the milieu of multiple organ systems. The cardiovascular system may be directly affected or alter its function to maintain the state of homeostasis. In this article, we aim to review the pathophysiology, diagnosis, clinical features and management of cardiac manifestations of various endocrine disorders.

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Cardiotoxicity in snake envenomation has not been adequately explored in the literature. This retrospective, observational study analysed clinical profiles and cardiovascular effects (CVE), with associated outcomes, in snake envenomation. Thirty-four patients were recruited between April 2014 and October 2017. Cardiovascular involvement was seen in 24 (70.6%) patients. Electrocardiographic changes included prolonged QTc (62.5%), T-wave inversion (37.5%) and tall T-waves (12.5%). Hospital stay was 7.2 (SD ¼ 5.3) days and 4.4 (SD ¼ 2.4) days in CVE and non-CVE groups respectively (P value ¼ 0.04). Mechanical ventilation was required only in nine of the CVE group (37.5%; P value ¼ 0.03). Shock was observed in seven patients (20.6%). Two of the patients in the CVE group (5.9%) died (P value ¼ 1.0); the majority had good outcomes with early administration of anti-venom serum and appropriate supportive measures. Thus, inpatient stay and mechanical ventilation were significantly increased in snake envenomation with CVEs, especially where an underlying co-morbidity existed.