Risk Factors of Hsu et al for a Snakebite-Associated Compartment Syndrome

 

Patient selection: a patient with a definite snakebite

 

Outcome: compartment syndrome

 

Risk factors:

(1) locoregional symptoms from the snakebite

(2) elevated WBC on admission (> 11,650 per µL)

(3) elevated serum AST on admission (>33.5 U/L)

 

where:

• The method and the reference range for the serum AST was not given. In the implementation AST will be compared to the upper limit of normal for the local method rather than to the value used by the authors.

 

A patient with risk factors should be observed for at least 48 hours in order to exclude signs and symptoms of a compartment syndrome. A patient without risk factors should be instructed about signs and symptoms of a compartment syndrome prior to discharge.