VOLUME 11 , ISSUE 3 ( July, 2007 ) > List of Articles
Prithwis Bhattacharya, Arpan Chakraborty
Keywords : Anticholinesterase, envenomations, polyvalent anti-snake venom
Citation Information : Bhattacharya P, Chakraborty A. Neurotoxic snake bite with respiratory failure. Indian J Crit Care Med 2007; 11 (3):161-164.
DOI: 10.4103/0972-5229.35627
License: CC BY-ND 3.0
Published Online: 01-04-2011
Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2007; The Author(s).
Thirteen patients with severe neuroparalytic snake envenomation admitted in intensive care unit with respiratory failure over a four months period. Initially ptosis and ophthalmoplegia, followed by bulbar palsy and respiratory muscle weakness was the common sequele. All of them received cardio-respiratory support with mechanical ventilation, anti-snake venom (median dose of 20 vials) and anticholinesterase therapy. Except one suffering from hypoxic brain injury due to delayed presentation, rest survived with complete neurological recovery. So good outcome in such cases is related with early cardio respiratory support and anti venom therapy