Use of Thromboelastography in Assessment of Snake Bite Coagulopathy

Abstract

Background: Monitoring for envenomation coagulopathy following snake bites has traditionally involved using serial coagulation studies. Purpose: Thromboelastography (TEG), with its real-time assessment, could offer an alternative to standard of care. This study aims to evaluate the use of TEG with traditional coagulation labs in the assessment of snake bite coagulopathy. Research Design: A retrospective review of patients who presented to a level 1 trauma center between 2014 and 2020 with snake bite envenomation was conducted, comparing traditional coagulation studies to TEG plus coagulation studies. Results: The 12 patients who had studies within the stipulations of our review were tracked and subsequently progressed well clinically with no adverse effects and ultimately discharged home with an average hospital stay of 2.2 days. Conclusions: Our data suggests that patients can be observed clinically without needing repeat coagulation studies if initial TEG and TCS are within normal limits.