Syncope, massive aspiration, and sudden death following rattlesnake bite.
Fatalities following rattlesnake bite are rare in the United States, usually occur some hours following the bite, and are generally secondary to direct venom effects. We report a patient with acute syncope and subsequent massive aspiration resulting in airway obstruction and rapid death following a probable Northern Pacific rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) bite.
Norris
Robert L
RL
Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford Hospital, Stanford, California, USA. bob.norris@stanford.edu
Wilkerson
James A
JA
Feldman
Joanne
J
D000818:Animals; D017839:Crotalus; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000209:etiology; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D013575:Syncope / Q000209:etiology