Viper bites. The intensive care treatment of the critically ill patient with severe toxic reaction after exposure to snake venom

S. Trancă, Natalia Hagău
Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie „Iuliu Haţieganu” Cluj-Napoca

Abstract

The aim of the present article is to fill the existing gap associated with snake bite pathology in Romanian medical literature. Current specific recommendations for treating severe envenomation in intensive care units are highlighted.
Most of the snake bites occur from May until September, with a peak incidence in July and August all over the country.
Clinical signs and symptoms depend on several factors: the quantity of the injected venom, the anatomical site of the bite and the victim’s previous health status. Minor symptoms are present in the majo-rity of victims (local pain and edema/swelling). Vital threat is present in few cases, most of the deaths occurring at the extreme of ages.
Antivenom is recommended only for those patients who present severe systemic dysfunction. It can reverse hypotension, and other symptoms caused by envenomation.

Keywords: viper bite, Vipera berus, Vipera ammodytes, antivenom

J Rom Anest Terap Int 2009; 16: 134-139

Muşcătura de viperă. Terapia pacientului critic cu reacţie toxică severă la veninul de viperă