Snakes M Anto ED prov fellow MVH 12


















![Toxin syndromes • • [Syncope] VICC Neurotoxicity Myotoxicity + ARF Toxin syndromes • • [Syncope] VICC Neurotoxicity Myotoxicity + ARF](https://slidetodoc.com/presentation_image_h2/bbae9094f01f7d8985bdb5d2ade848e0/image-19.jpg)










- Slides: 29
Snakes M Anto ED prov fellow MVH 12 Jan 2017
Intro • 3000 snake bites per yr • Large proportion are dry bites or nonvenomous • 200 -500 receive antivenom • 1 -2 fatal • 50% brown snake • 50% tiger/taipan/death adder
Hx and exam • Bite site • Neurological • Haematological
Hx and exam Bite site: Usually painless May have fang marks Usually lacs/scratches Bruising bleeding swelling Local tissue destruction uncommon with Aus snakes - Assoc lymphadenopathy • -
• - Early symptoms (<1 hr): Headache Irritability Nausea D+V Confusion Syncope (? 2 dary to hypotension)
• - Symptoms (1 -3 hrs): CN paralysis Abdo pain Haemoglobinuria HT Tachycardia Haemorrhage
• - Late sx (>3 hrs): Limb/resp paralysis Shock Myoglobinuria Death
Toxin syndromes • • [Syncope] VICC Neurotoxicity Myotoxicity + ARF
Sydney/NSW snakes • Brown snake: - Syncope, VICC • Red-bellied black snake: - VICC, paralysis, hypotension • Eastern tiger snake: - Hypotension, paralysis, VICC, seizures • Death adder: - Paralysis
1 st aid
1 st aid • • • Do not wash site, do not suck out venom Do not cut or incise bite PIB - 15 cm, elasticised, <4 hrs from bite Splint Immobilise How about head/neck/back?
Management • • - Critically ill patients Other patients IV access Bloods (? POC test) Urine ? Other tests
Antivenom • • • What to give? How to give How much to give Once AV given, what do we do with our PIB? What are potential complications?
AV indications • • - Absolute: Abnormal INR History of sudden collapse, seizure or cardiac arrest Any evidence of paralysis (ptosis +/- ophthalmoplegia earliest signs) Relative: Systemic symptoms (vomiting, headache, abdominal pain) Abnormal a. PTT Leukocytosis CK > 1000 U/L
Further management • Disposition? • Further tests? • Discharge advice?
Summary • 1 st aid • AV if symptomatic, no pre-med (caution with adren) • VDK does not tell you if the patient is envenomated • Look for subtle CN/eye signs • Check ADT status • Bloods/examination up to 12 hrs • Serum sickness
References/resources • Snakebite and Spiderbite Clinical Management Guidelines (3 rd ed, 2014) • http: //www. anaesthesia. med. usyd. edu. au/res ources/venom/snakebite. html • Wikipedia: List of fatal snake bites in Australia