A study of clinical profile and outcome of patients with snake bite-induced acute kidney injury.

BACKGROUND

Snake bite is a well-known occupational hazard amongst farmers, plantation workers, and other outdoor workers and results in much morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The complications related to kidneys are observed in most patients with snake bites admitted to a hospital. The current study aimed to study the renal involvement in patients with snake bites with reference to clinical features and the time of onset of acute renal failure.

METHODS

A prospective clinical study of 68 patients of snake bite was done to know the clinical profile and outcome in Gandhi Hospital Secunderabad and cases were particularly looked for development of acute kidney injury. Later each case was studied and investigated with respect to onset, clinical features, course in the hospital, need for renal replacement therapy including dialysis, and mortality due to AKI. Patients were followed up till discharge or death. They were treated as per protocol.

RESULTS

The incidence of AKI was 29.1%. Common signs and symptoms were fang mark (100%), swelling (91.2%), tenderness (91.2%), bleeding manifestations (79.4%) oliguria (26.47%), anuria (5.8%), and haematuria (8.8%). Hypotension was present in 73%, which may be the cause of AKI. All the AKI patients showed coagulation abnormalities in the form of prolonged BT, CT, PT, and aPTT. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 29.4%. All the AKI patients were given ASV for 2 to 3 days. The mean ASV vials used in the present study is 15 ± 5. Hemodialysis was done in 29.4% of patients.

CONCLUSION

The cause of AKI in snakebite was multifactorial in origin. Bleeding and hypotension were among the important causes. Thrombocytopenia was significantly related to clinical bleeding. The type of snakebite is an important factor in the development of AKI and Russell's viper bite is more commonly associated with it. AKI is usually associated with oliguria and generally occurs within 48 hours.