Failure of electric shock treatment for rattlesnake envenomation.
The use of high-voltage electric shock therapy for the treatment of snake venom poisoning has recently gained popularity in the United States. We present a case that documents the dangerous, ineffective application of electric shock to the face of a patient envenomated by a Great Basin rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis lutosus). The successful use of antivenin in this critically ill, antivenin-allergic patient is described.
Dart
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RC
Section of Emergency Medicine, University of Arizona Health Sciences Center, Tucson.
Gustafson
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RA
D000328:Adult; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D004155:Diphenhydramine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004565:Electroconvulsive Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010976:Platelet Count; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D011517:Prothrombin Time; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms; D004155:Diphenhydramine; D002437:Cefazolin; D006854:Hydrocortisone