Pilot studies of pressure-immobilization bandages for rattlesnake envenomations. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.) [Clin Toxicol (Phila)] Journal article | | Title | Pilot studies of pressure-immobilization bandages for rattlesnake envenomations. | | Author(s) | Meggs WJ, Courtney C, O'Rourke D, Brewer KL | | Institution | Department of Emergency Medicine, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA. | | Source | Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2009 Nov 5. | | Abstract | Study objective. Pressure-immobilization bandages sequester venom in extremities and are recommended for snakebites without local toxicity. Pilot studies were performed to determine the time of onset of toxicity and efficacy of pressure-immobilizations bandages in a porcine model of rattlesnake envenomation. Methods. After IACUC approval, anesthetized pigs were injected subcutaneously in a distal hind leg with 200 mg of Crotalus atrox venom. After 1 min, pigs received either a pressure-immobilization bandage (N = 3) or no treatment (N = 3). At 24 h, surviving pigs received antivenin and then the pressure-immobilization bandages were removed. Surviving subjects were followed for 1 week. Chi-square analysis and paired t-test were used.
Results. Pigs with pressure-immobilization bandages survived for 24 h, whereas untreated pigs died at 13.68 +/- 3.42 h (p = 0.014). Surviving pigs walked on the extremity at 7 days. Potassium rose from 4.033 +/- 0.252 at baseline to 17.767 +/- 5.218 mEq/L (p < 0.0001) at time of death in untreated pigs but was normal at 24 h in treated subjects. Widespread tissue necrosis was seen in the untreated group but only local necrosis in the treatment group.
Conclusions. Pressure-immobilization bandages prevented death from severe C. atrox envenomations with a 24 h delay to treatment. Surviving pigs had recovery of limb use at 1 week. | | Language | ENG | | Pub Type(s) | JOURNAL ARTICLE
| | PubMed ID | 19888893 |
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