Arthropod poisons and the cardiovascular system

Animal poisons induce myocardial damage after envenomation. The cardiac manifestations after black widow spider bite are rarely observed and their prognostic significance are not known. Hymenoptera induce anaphylactic manifestations commonly observed in adults with previous coronary artery disease although myocardial involvement is observed in a few without previous heart disease. The mechanism of cardiac involvement after scorpion envenomation has been elucidated, however after widow spider bite or hymenoptera stings the mechanism of myocardial damage of those without previous heart disease is not clear. (Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:708-714.