AI Article Synopsis

  • Snakebite envenoming is an urgent medical issue in French Guiana, particularly affecting those in remote areas who often experience delays in accessing healthcare services.
  • A study conducted at Cayenne General Hospital revealed a median time of 9 hours and 15 minutes from snakebite to antivenom treatment, with longer delays for patients from rural locations.
  • Early administration of antivenom significantly improves recovery time for coagulation parameters, highlighting the need for improved access to antivenom in remote healthcare settings.

Article Abstract

Background: Snakebite (SB) envenoming is an acute emergency requiring an early care delivery. We aimed to search for the time to reach healthcare facilities in various regions of French Guiana (FG) and to assess the impact of time to antivenom (AV) on the correction of coagulation parameters in these patients.

Methodology: This is a prospective observational study conducted in Cayenne General Hospital between January 1st, 2016, and July 31st, 2022. We included all patients hospitalized for SB envenoming less than 48h after the bite, and receiving antivenom (AV). We assessed the time lapse between SB and medical attention and the time needed to return of the coagulation parameters to normal.

Principal Findings: Overall, 119 patients were investigated, and 48.7% were from remote areas. The median time from SB to AV therapy was 09:15 h (05:32-17:47). The time was longer in patients from remote rural locations. AV was dispensed within the first six hours after the SB in 45 cases (37.8%). Time from SB to reaching normal plasma fibrinogen concentration was 23:27 h (20:00-27:10) in patients receiving AV≤6h vs. 31:23 h (24:00-45:05) in those receiving AV>6h (p<0.001). Whereas, the time from AV administration to reach normal fibrinogen dosage was similar in the two groups.

Conclusions: Patients from rural settings in FG suffer from a delay in AV administration after SB envenoming leading to an extended time in which patients are coagulopathic. Once AV is administered, clotting parameters recover at a similar rate. Supplying remote healthcare facilities with AV and with medical teams trained on its use should be planned.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10159357PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0011242DOI Listing

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