In this retrospective case review, the authors assessed the clinical outcome of copperhead snake (Agkistrodon contortrix) bites in order to determine the need for antivenom. They reviewed 142 bites that occurred between 1995 and 2010 at East Texas Medical Center. Data included an identification of the snake, age of the patient, presenting symptoms, laboratory analysis, length of stay, treatment rendered, and severity score as described by Dart and colleagues. 1 Though 42 of the bites were unidentified, A contortrix bites were identified in 88 of the remaining bites. None presented with a grade 3 envenomation. Only 15% had a grade 2 envenomation. No antivenom was given and no deaths resulted from these bites. Though this study is limited by its size and retrospective design, the authors concluded that bites from copperhead snakes may require observation but are unlikely to require antivenom.
(ACS. 2011;212:470–474) JP Walker, RL Morrison.
Prepared by Anil Menon, MD, UTMB/NASA Aerospace Medicine Fellow, Galveston, TX, USA