Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Search research articles

Related Experiment Videos

Rattlesnake envenomations: unusual case presentations.

D A Tanen¹, A M Ruha, K A Graeme

¹Departmentof Medical Toxicology, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Archives of Internal Medicine

|February 15, 2001

Summary

Rattlesnake envenomations can cause serious health issues beyond typical symptoms. This series highlights rare but severe complications, including anaphylaxis and airway emergencies, emphasizing the need for comprehensive patient monitoring.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Systemic toxicity after rattlesnake envenomation in patients using angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: A North American Snakebite Registry study.

Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology·2025

Same author

Cottonmouth snake bites reported to the ToxIC North American snakebite registry 2013-2017.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2019

Same author

A computerized scoring system to improve assessment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia risk.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2018

Same author

Clinical effectiveness of a Bayesian algorithm for the diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH·2017

Same author

Management of cardiac dysrhythmias following hydrocarbon abuse: clinical toxicology teaching case from NACCT acute and intensive care symposium.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2014

Same author

Response to letter: contribution of serum ethanol concentration to the osmol gap: a prospective volunteer study.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2013

Area of Science:

Toxicology
Emergency Medicine
Clinical Case Studies

Background:

Rattlesnake envenomations are prevalent in certain US regions, posing significant morbidity risks despite low fatality rates.
Common presentations include edema, hypotension, coagulopathy, and thrombocytopenia.
Crotalidae polyvalent antivenin is the standard treatment for progressive swelling or severe coagulopathy.

Observation:

This case series details four patients with unusual rattlesnake envenomation complications.
Presentations included anaphylaxis to venom, acute airway compromise, and significant edema with pleural effusion.
One case resulted in death.

Findings:

Rattlesnake venom can trigger a spectrum of severe, atypical reactions beyond expected symptoms.

Related Experiment Videos

Anaphylaxis and acute airway emergencies represent critical, life-threatening complications.

Extensive edema and large pleural effusions indicate severe systemic envenomation.

Implications:

Clinicians should be vigilant for rare complications of rattlesnake bites, not just typical symptoms.
Prompt recognition and management of anaphylaxis and airway issues are crucial for patient survival.
Understanding the full spectrum of rattlesnake envenomation is vital for effective treatment strategies and patient outcomes.