Korean J Intern Med.  2008 Jun;23(2):94-99. 10.3904/kjim.2008.23.2.94.

Coagulopathy in patients who experience snakebite

• Kim JS
• Yang JW
• Kim MS
• Han ST
• Kim BR
• Shin MS
• Lee JI
• Han BG
• Choi SO

• KMID: 759962
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2008.23.2.94

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Coagulopathy is a common complication of snakebite, but there is little information on the clinical importance of coagulopathy. We analyzed the characteristics of coagulopathy after envenomation. METHODS: Ninety-eight patients who experienced snakebite were enrolled in this study. We divided all the patients into three groups by the ISTH DIC scoring system: the normal, simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. The coagulopathy group included both the simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. We then conducted a case-control study. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the Hct, protein, albumin, ALP and cholesterol levels in the coagulopathy group, and only the cholesterol level was deceased in the DIC group (p<0.05). Leukocytosis and rhabdomyolysis were significantly associated with coagulopathy, and hemolysis and rhabdomyolysis were associated with DIC (p<0.05). The presence of rhabdomyolysis was considered a risk factor for coagulopathy (p<0.05). These conditions continued for up to six to seven days after the snakebite. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of coagulopathy with using these characteristics is helpful to properly manage the patients who experience snakebite.

Keyword

Coagulopathy; Snakebite

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blood Coagulation Disorders/*etiology
Case-Control Studies
Female
Hemolysis/drug effects
Humans
Incidence
Leukocytosis/etiology
Male
Retrospective Studies
Rhabdomyolysis/etiology
Risk Factors
Snake Bites/*complications