Fatal Rattlesnake Envenomation in Arizona: 1969–1984

Abstract

Case histories of the last nine fatalities (1969–1984), in which the cause of death on the State of Arizona Certificate of Death was snakebite, were reviewed. Six males and three females ranged in age from 2 to 77 years, and were bitten between 0800–2100 hours from April to September. Bites in three adult males were “illegitimate” and of these, two were by captive Mojave rattlesnakes, Crotalus s. scutulatus. The latter two victims had been bitten previously and remained at home, refusing treatment. In the other seven victims, the snakes involved were not identified. However, all localities where bites occurred were within the geographical and altitudinal range for Crotalus atrox and C. s. scutulatus. The apparent cause of death was prolonged hypotension with major organ system failure in five, intestinal hemorrhage in one, and was unknown in three. Major organs were involved as follows: cardiac failure (two); noncardiac pulmonary edema (two); renal failure (two); unconsciousness with airway obstruction and brain damage (two); and coagulopathy with multiple hemorrhage sites (one). Seven of the nine deaths appeared to be preventable. Four delayed going to a medical facility and six did not have hypotension corrected. Antivenin was not administered early (first four hours) or in adequate amounts (10 vials or more) because of delayed arrival in five or physician's decision in four. Pre-existing cardiac disease contributed to death of two victims. Rattlesnake bite victims should not delay travel to a medical facility and hypotension must be treated aggressively and appropriately.