Acute Myocardial Injury Caused by Sydney Funnel-web Spider (Atrax robustus) Envenoming

A 67-year-old female suffered envenoming by a Sydney funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus), complicated by ST elevation and elevated troponin levels consistent with an acute myocardial injury. She was treated primarily with funnel-web spider antivenom, admission to intensive care and initial respiratory support for acute pulmonary oedema. The mechanism by which funnel-web spider envenomation caused myocardial injury is unclear but follow-up nuclear studies in the patient demonstrated that she had minimal atherosclerotic disease.

[1]  G. Nicholson,et al.  Spiders of medical importance in the Asia–Pacific: Atracotoxin, latrotoxin and related spider neurotoxins , 2002, Clinical and experimental pharmacology & physiology.

[2]  D. Wilson,et al.  Cross-reactivity of Sydney funnel-web spider antivenom: neutralization of the in vitro toxicity of other Australian funnel-web (Atrax and Hadronyche) spider venoms. , 2002, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology.

[3]  I. Whyte,et al.  Clinical features and management of Hadronyche envenomation in man. , 2000, Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology.

[4]  M. Fisher,et al.  Efficacy of funnel‐web spider antivenom in human envenomation by Hadronyche species (for editorial comment, see page 610; see also page 705) , 1989, The Medical journal of Australia.

[5]  M. Fisher,et al.  Urban envenomation , 1989, The Medical journal of Australia.

[6]  J. Tibballs,et al.  Funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) antivenom. 1. Preparation and laboratory testing. , 1981, The Medical journal of Australia.

[7]  K. Burgess,et al.  Funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) antivenom. 2. Early clinical experience. , 1981, Medical Journal of Australia.

[8]  M. Fisher,et al.  Atrax Robustus Envenomation , 1980, Anaesthesia and intensive care.

[9]  I. Greaves,et al.  Severe Lung Oedema and Fatal Consumption Coagulopathy after Funnel‐Web Bite , 1980, The Medical journal of Australia.

[10]  R. Beazley.  Death from the Bite of a Trapdoor Spider. , 1930 .

[11]  A. Musgrave.  Some poisonous Australian spiders , 1927 .