Coagulopathy in patients who experience snakebite.
OBJECTIVE
Coagulopathy is a common complication of snakebite, but there is little information on the clinical importance of coagulopathy. We analyzed the characteristics of coagulopathy after envenomation.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients who experienced snakebite were enrolled in this study. We divided all the patients into three groups by the ISTH DIC scoring system: the normal, simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. The coagulopathy group included both the simple coagulopathy and DIC groups. We then conducted a case-control study.


RESULTS
There was a significant decrease in the Hct, protein, albumin, ALP and cholesterol levels in the coagulopathy group, and only the cholesterol level was deceased in the DIC group (0<0.05). Leukocytosis and rhabdomyolysis were significantly associated with coagulopathy, and hemolysis and rhabdomyolysis were associated with DIC (p<0.05). The presence of rhabdomyolysis was considered a risk factor for coagulopathy (p<0.05). These conditions continued for up to six to seven days after the snakebite.


CONCLUSIONS
Evaluation of coagulopathy with using these characteristics is helpful to properly manage the patients who experience snakebite.
Kim
Jae Seok
JS
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea.
Yang
Jae Won
JW
Kim
Min Soo
MS
Han
Seung Tae
ST
Kim
Bi Ro
BR
Shin
Myung Sang
MS
Lee
Jong In
JI
Han
Byoung Geun
BG
Choi
Seung Ok
SO
D000818:Animals; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000150:complications*