Severity of Pit Viper Envenomation

Grade

Description

Minimal

Changes at bite site only

No systemic symptoms or signs or abnormal laboratory findings

Moderate

Changes extending beyond the bite site

Non–life-threatening systemic symptoms and signs (eg, nausea, vomiting, paresthesias)

Mildly abnormal coagulation or laboratory changes without clinically significant bleeding

Severe

Changes involving the entire extremity

Severe systemic symptoms and signs (eg, hypotension, dyspnea, shock)

Markedly abnormal coagulation and laboratory changes with or without clinically significant bleeding

Data from Lavonas EJ, Ruha AM, Banner W, et al. Unified treatment algorithm for the management of crotaline snakebite in the United States: results of an evidence-informed consensus workshop. BMC Emerg Med. 2011;11:2. Published 2011 Feb 3. doi:10.1186/1471-227X-11-2

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