T63.011AToxic effect of rattlesnake venom, accidental (unintentional), initial encounter. T63. 011A is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. The 2022 edition of ICD-10-CM T63.
Acute neuromuscular paralysis is the main type of neurotoxicity and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality related to snakebite. Mechanical ventilation, intensive care, antivenom treatment, other ancillary care, and prolonged hospital stays all contribute to a significant cost of provision of care.
Neurotoxic venom tends to act more quickly, attacking the nervous system and stopping nerve signals getting through to the muscles. This means paralysis, starting at the head, moving down the body until, if untreated, the diaphragm is paralysed and the patient can't breathe.
The hedgehog (Erinaceidae), the mongoose (Herpestidae), the honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and the opossum are known to be immune to a dose of snake venom.
Cobra venom (cobratoxin) is a small basic protein (Mr = 7000). It contains 62 amino acids in a single chain, cross-linked by four disulfide bonds. The toxin comprises 10% of the venom by weight. It is a neurotoxin that is secreted by glands of the cobra snake and injected into its prey via immobile, grooved fangs.
Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. King cobra venom affects the respiratory centers in the brain, causing respiratory arrest and cardiac failure.
The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest venomous snake in the world. Its venom contains cytotoxins that can cause necrosis, along with large quantities of neurotoxins.
Hemotoxins: Signs and symptoms can occur very rapidly after ingestion of hemotoxin into the blood. The process by which hemotoxin causes death is much slower than that of a neurotoxin.
Elapid snakes—including coral snakes, cobras, mambas, sea snakes, and kraits—have primarily neurotoxic venom. In contrast, vipers—including rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths—have primarily hemotoxic venom.
The pharmacological effects of snake venoms are classified into three main types, hemotoxic, neurotoxic, and cytotoxic (WHO, 2010).
The four types of snake venom are proteolytic venom, hemotoxic venom, neurotoxic venom, and cytotoxic venom.
They can destroy the outer membrane of capillary vessels, causing internal bleeding. In some cases they can also activate the blood clotting system, causing clots around the circulatory system. These have the ability to block blood vessels and induce a stroke or heart attack.