Crotalidae (pit vipers)

Introduction

Named for heat-sensitive between their nostrils & eyes. Pit vipers consist of rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths & masasaugas. Venom from pit vipers contain numerous proteolytic enzymes that cause local soft tissue necrosis, hemolysis & hemorrhage.

Clinical manifestations

• local manifestations
  • severe, burning local pain, develops rapidly
  • delayed manifestations
    • swelling
    • erythema
    • ecchymosis
    • bullae
    • compartment syndrome
  • fang puncture marks
• systemic manifestations
  • fever
  • nausea & vomiting
  • delirium
  • seizures (convulsive)
  • myalgias
  • perioral paresthesias
  • bleeding: hematemesis, hematuria
  • disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
  • acute renal failure
  • shock with circulatory collapse may occur 30 minutes or more following the snakebite

Management

• Crotalidae immune F(ab')2

More general terms

• snake reptile

More specific terms

• copperhead
• cottonmouth (water moccasin, Agkistrodon piscivorus)
• Echis carinatus; Indian saw-scaled viper
• rattlesnake
• Terciopelo; Bothrops asper; fer-de-lance; lancehead; Bothrops atrox

Additional terms

• snakebite