Role of noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure due to snakebite

Saumy Johnson; Eldo Vijo

doi:10.5005/ijrc-1-1-167

SEARCH WITHIN CONTENT

Online First

Role of noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure due to snakebite

Saumy Johnson, Eldo Vijo

Keywords : Noninvasive ventilation, Snake bite, Acute respiratory failure

Citation Information : Johnson S, Vijo E. Role of noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure due to snakebite. Indian J Respir Care 2012; 1 (2):167-168.

DOI: 10.5005/ijrc-1-1-167

License: NA

Published Online: 01-12-2022

ARTICLE
REFERENCES

Abstract

Introduction: Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) has revolutionised the management of diverse forms of respiratory failure.¹ Case report: An 18 year old male patient presented to the emergency department with a history of an Indian krait snake bite on his left upper limb about seven hours ago. He had signs and symptoms of local and systemic envenomation, left upper limb cellulitis and suspected acute tubular necrosis of the kidneys. He was administered anti-snake venom and given supportive care. He was shifted to the intensive care unit where a noninvasive ventilator was used for supporting his respiratory system via a full face mask. He received NIV for thirteen days intermittently alternating with 60 percent oxygen via a Venturi mask. Progressively, he showed significant improvement and was weaned off NIV. He was discharged from hospital with no neurological sequelae. Conclusion: NIV can be used in selected patients with acute neuromuscular respiratory failure while awaiting improvement from specific therapies.

HTML PDF Share

Brochard L. Noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure. JAMA 2002; 288: 932–5.
Ram FSF, Picot J, Lightowler J, Wedzicha JA. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation for treatment of respiratory failure due to exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database of Systematic Review 2004: 3: CD004104, pub3.
Agarwal R, Aggarwal AN, Gupta D, Jindal SK. Noninvasive ventilation in acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Postgrad Med J 2005; 81: 637–43.
Rabinstein A, Wijdicks EFM. BiPAP in acute respiratory failure due to myasthenic crisis may prevent intubation. Neurology 2002; 59: 1647–9.
Pearse RM, Draper A, Grounds RM. Noninvasive ventilation to avoid tracheal intubation in a patient with Guillain–Barre syndrome. Br J Anaesth 2003; 91: 913–6.
Agarwal R, Reddy C, Gupta D. Noninvasive ventilation in acute neuromuscular respiratory failure due to myasthenic crisis: case-report and review of literature. Emerg Med J 2006; 23:e6
Agarwal R. Noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure due to a snakebite. Anaesthesia 2006; 61: 190–202.
Agarwal R, Aggarwal AN, Gupta D, Behera D, Jindal SK. Low-dose of snake antivenom is as effective as high-dose in patients with severe neurotoxic snake envenoming. Emerg Med J 2005; 22: 397–9.
Warrel DA WHO/Searo Guidelines for clinical management of snake bite in the Southeast Asian region. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health 1999;30:1-85.

PDF Share