Preliminary observations on the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom poisoning in the rabbit model.
Intermittent hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been shown to reduce skeletal muscle necrosis in a compartment syndrome animal model. To study whether intermittent exposure to hyperbaric oxygen augments antivenin therapy in reducing muscle necrosis, we injected sublethal doses of Western Diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) venom intramuscularly into the hind legs of New Zealand White rabbits. In this pilot study, the animals were divided into three treatment groups. The first group received one vial of antivenin intravenously, the second group received one vial of antivenin intravenously plus three hyperbaric oxygen treatments, and the third group received no treatments. There were no statistically significant differences among the groups. These preliminary observations suggest that muscle necrosis secondary to Crotalus atrox venom poisoning is not significantly altered either by Antivenin [Crotalidae] Polyvalent at the dose level we used or in combination with intermittent hyperbaric oxygen treatments in this rabbit model.
Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
M R
MR
Stolpe
R L
RL
Norris
C D
CD
Chisholm
M F
MF
Hartshorne
C
C
Okerberg
W J
WJ
Ehler
J
J
Posch
D000818:Animals; D000997:Antivenins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003435:Crotalid Venoms / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000506:poisoning*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology; D006931:Hyperbaric Oxygenation; D009132:Muscles / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000628:therapy*; D013848:Thigh
D000997:Antivenins; D003435:Crotalid Venoms