Elapidae (Coral Snakes): Difference between revisions

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{{Bites and stings DDX}}
{{Bites and stings DDX}}


==Labs==
==Diagnosis==
*CBC with diff
*CBC with diff
*PT/PTT/INR
*PT/PTT/INR
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==References==
==References==
*Tintinalli
<references/>
*Medscape. Antivenin, Eastern & Texas Coral Snakes (Rx) - Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius). http://reference.medscape.com/drug/micrurus-fulvius-antivenin-eastern-texas-coral-snakes-343718.
*Medscape. Antivenin, Eastern & Texas Coral Snakes (Rx) - Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius). http://reference.medscape.com/drug/micrurus-fulvius-antivenin-eastern-texas-coral-snakes-343718.
*Juckett G and Hancox JG. Venomous Snakebites in the United States: Management Review and Update. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Apr 1;65(7):1367-1375.
*Juckett G and Hancox JG. Venomous Snakebites in the United States: Management Review and Update. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Apr 1;65(7):1367-1375.
<references/>


[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Environ]]
[[Category:Tox]]
[[Category:Tox]]

Revision as of 08:15, 30 December 2015

Background

  • All coral snakes are brightly colored with black, red, and yellow rings
    • Red and yellow rings touch in coral snakes, but are separated in nonpoisonous mimics
      • "Red touch yellow, kills a fellow; red touch black, venom lack"
Coral snake.

Clinical Features

  • Local injury is often minimal and easy to miss as venom is delivered via chewing rather than injection
  • Venom effects may develop hours after a bite
  • Serious complications
    • Venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (DIC-like syndrome)[1]
    • Renal failure
    • Hypovolemic shock
    • Neurotoxicities in particular for coral snaktes
      • Local numbness rather than pain/swelling
      • CN palsies
      • Respiratory paralysis

Differential Diagnosis

Envenomations, bites and stings

Diagnosis

  • CBC with diff
  • PT/PTT/INR
  • Fibrinogen
  • Fibrin degradation products
  • BMP
  • LFT
  • CK
  • ABG if resp compromise

Treatment

Local Care

  • Do:
    • Remove all jewelry
    • Mark the leading edge of erythema/edema
  • Do not:
    • Attempt to suck out the venom
    • Place the affected part in cold water
    • Use a tourniquet or wrap
    • Antivenom is first line treatment for compartment syndrome; fasciotomy is last resort if elevated pressures persist.

Antivenom

  • Give 3-5 vials of Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius) to ALL pts who have definitely been bitten
    • It may not be possible to prevent further effects or reverse effects once they develop
    • Additional doses of antivenom are reserved for cases in which symptoms/signs appear
  • Prepare for allergic reaction from equine produced Antivenin (may dilute solution, or administer with epinephrine/benadryl)

Monitor for respiratory failure

Disposition

  • Admit all pts (even if initially symptom free)

See Also

References

  1. Isbister GK. Snakebite doesn't cause disseminated intravascular coagulation: coagulopathy and thrombotic microangiopathy in snake envenoming. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2010 Jun;36(4):444-51.