Failure of electric shock treatment for rattlesnake envenomation

Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Jun;20(6):659-61. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(05)82389-3.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anaphylaxis / chemically induced
  • Anaphylaxis / drug therapy
  • Antivenins / administration & dosage
  • Antivenins / adverse effects
  • Antivenins / therapeutic use*
  • Cefazolin / administration & dosage
  • Cefazolin / therapeutic use
  • Crotalid Venoms*
  • Diphenhydramine / administration & dosage
  • Diphenhydramine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electroconvulsive Therapy / adverse effects*
  • Hematocrit
  • Humans
  • Hydrocortisone / administration & dosage
  • Hydrocortisone / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Platelet Count
  • Platelet Transfusion
  • Prothrombin Time
  • Snake Bites / blood
  • Snake Bites / physiopathology
  • Snake Bites / therapy*

Substances

  • Antivenins
  • Crotalid Venoms
  • Diphenhydramine
  • Cefazolin
  • Hydrocortisone