Letter to the Editor

Acute Myocardial Infarction Due to a Bee Sting Manifested with ST Wave Elevation after Hospital Admission

Authors: Enver Erbilen, MD, Erim Gulcan, MD, Sinan Albayrak, MD, Olcay Ozveren, MD

Abstract

To the Editor:


Bee venom can promote acute coronary artery thrombosis via platelet aggregation and hypotension. Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) after a bee sting has been rarely reported in the literature.1


A 44-year-old male farmer had been stung by a bee on his tongue; he experienced tongue paresthesia and a short-lasting episode of near-syncope followed by chest pain. At admission to the emergency room 2 hours later, he had dyspnea and chest pain. Blood pressure was 80/60 mm Hg, and his physical examination revealed mild tachycardia and tongue edema. Electrocardiography (ECG) demonstrated an intermittent right bundle branch block. The patient's cardiac enzyme levels were slightly increased. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate, hemoglobin, hematocrit, prothrombin time, and platelet count were in the normal range. The leukocyte count was 20,300/mm3.

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References

1. Ceyhan C, Ercan E, Tekten T, et al. Myocardial infarction following a bee sting. Int J Cardiol 2001;80:251–253.
 
2. Massing JL, Bentz MH, Schlesser P, et al. Myocardial infarction following a bee sting. Apropos of a case and review of the literature. Ann Cardiol Angiol 1997;46:311–315.
 
3. Lombardi A, Vandelli R, Cere E, et al. Silent acute myocardial infarction following a wasp sting. Ital Heart J 2003;4:638–641.