Specific antivenom is the cornerstone of therapy of the poisonous snake bite. Sometimes alternative methods may be needed to treat the patient.
An exchange transfusion may be considered in the management of a severe viper bite if:
(1) antivenom (antivenin) is not available
(2) the patient has continued to deteriorate despite optimum dosing of antivenom
The exchange transfusion should be performed as early as possible following the envenomation.
If the venom is hemolytic, then exchange transfusion may remove free hemoglobin that might have negative effects on the kidneys.
Plasmapheresis would be an alternative method of removing plasma containing the toxin.
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Specialty: Toxicology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
