Malabar pit viper envenomation presenting with symptomatic hyperkalaemia in a tertiary care centre in south Karnataka

Authors

Vrinda LathFollow

Abstract

A 25-year-old male was bitten by a pit viper over the foot and presented with a tender and oedematous bitten limb a day after the bite. He had received anti-snake venom (ASV) at a local centre and developed anaphylaxis. He was admitted for observation and developed sudden onset hyperkalaemia and hemodynamic instability which responded to anti-hyperkalemic measures. We highlight envenomation by a species not known to cause any life-threatening complications, and emphasize the need for intensive monitoring and discuss the importance of species identification, knowledge of regional herpetofauna and treatment modalities including the need for a species-specific antivenin.

Recommended Citation

Lath, Vrinda (2021) "Malabar pit viper envenomation presenting with symptomatic hyperkalaemia in a tertiary care centre in south Karnataka," Manipal Journal of Medical Sciences: Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 7.
Available at: https://impressions.manipal.edu/mjms/vol6/iss2/7