Factors Affecting Prognosis in Patients with Snakebite
Journal Title: Eurasian Journal of Emergency Medicine - Year 2021, Vol 20, Issue 1
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to determine the factors influencing hospitalization durations and discharge status of patients with snakebite, starting from pre-hospital care in the field. Materials and Methods: A total of 38 patients with snakebite admitted to the emergency medicine department between May 1st, 2013 and August 31st, 2016, participated in the study. Data were evaluated using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 17.0. Results: A total of 38 patients were enrolled, of which, 17 (44.7%) were female. Of the 38 patients enrolled, nine patients were in stage 1, 24 in stage 2, and 5 in stage 3. The mean antivenoms given to patients were 3.33±1.29 vials in stage 2 and 4.40±1.14 vials in stage 3. The mean time from bite to antivenom infusion was 80.92±47.57 mins. Hospitalization durations of patients with shorter bite to antivenom infusion intervals (bite-to-needle) were also shorter (p<0.001). In addition, overweight patients were found to stay longer in the hospital (p=0.027). Patients with low hemoglobin and platelet counts and high creatine kinase (CK) levels were found to stay longer in the hospital (p<0.05). Conclusion: Shorter hospitalization durations of patients with shorter bite-to-needle times show the importance of early administration of antivenom. Moreover, longer hospitalization durations of overweight patients seem to reflect their slow wound-healing times, which may be due to co-morbidities. Low platelet, hemoglobin, and CK are found to be poor prognostic markers in patients with snakebite.
Authors and Affiliations
Mehmet Özbulat, Ayca Açıkalın, Ufuk Akday, Ömer Taşkın, Nezihat Rana Dişel, Ahmet Sebe
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP693156
- DOI 10.4274/eajem.galenos.2020.69885
- Views 129
- Downloads 0
An Unusual Side Effect of Dabigatran Etexilate Use - Acute Renal Failure
Dabigatran etexilate is a prodrug with anticoagulant effect through inhibition of thrombin. Although it does not require laboratory monitoring and has minimal food-drug interaction, its disadvantages are bleeding, common...
Measurement of Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter to Detect Increased Intracranial Pressure in Hypertensive Patients
Aim: Our aim was to measure optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSDM) by ultrasonography and to detect whether ONSDM reflected intracranial pressure in hypertensive patients. Materials and Methods: This observational study wa...
Pseudopneumothorax: Emphysema Case Mimicking Pneumothorax
Bedside lung ultrasound (LUS) is generally emergency rooms for the patients suspected to have lung pathology. LUS is especially important for quick diagnosis and fast treatment, especially in unstable patients. Pneumotho...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Knowledge and Experience Among Dentists in Turkey
Aim: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an essential skill that all health care professionals are advised to acquire. Dentists, as health professionals, should be able to recognize cardiac arrest and effectively perf...
Initial Versus Final Diagnosis in Patients Who Presented to the Emergency Department Without Trauma: A Prospective Cohort Study
Aim: In the emergency department (ED), some patients are discharged after their initial diagnosis and treatment, whereas others are hospitalized for treatment and/or further diagnostic examination. The ED physician usual...