FOLLOWUP - Cobra bite

[Fiona Wallace]

Some very interesting research presented at the Australian EM symposium this
week on use of antivenom in Australian snakebites (essentially two forms of
venom - coagulopathic and neurotoxic). Subsequent doses of antivenom for
ongoing symptoms have no effect on outcome; dosing of antivenom outside of
symptom onset also makes no difference. 

Essentially what's needed is supportive treatment - ventilation if
neurotoxic, FFP if coagulopathic (though even that's debatable if the
patient is not at high risk of bleeding). 

Papers are about to be published and lead author is Geoff Isbister.
Definitely worth a look.

Fiona Wallace
Tasmania