Snake venom coagulopathy: Use and abuse of blood products in the treatment of pit viper envenomation

Jeffery L. Burgess, Richard C. Dart

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

Coagulopathies are commonly encountered in victims of pit viper envenomation. In the majority of patients these defects improve with administration of antivenin. However, blood products are often transfused based on arbitrary criteria and with significant risk to the patient. This article documents the effectiveness and risks of antivenin administration and the risks of blood product transfusion. We recommend that blood products not be used except for clearly defined clinical indications.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)795-801
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of emergency medicine
Volume20
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1991

Keywords

  • CROTALIDAE
  • antivenin
  • coagulopathy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Emergency Medicine

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