1. Blood System

2. Root Words

3. Snake Venom and Blood

4. This is where we come in…..

6. Coagulation abnormalities are due directly to snake venom interference with the coagulation cascade

7. Pharmacotherapy Pearls  Minimal envenomation: Swelling, pain, and bruising are limited to immediate bite site: no systemic signs and symptoms  Moderate envenomation: systemic signs and symptoms are not life threatening (nausea, vomiting, oral paresthesia, unusual taste, mild hypotension, mild tachycardia, tachypnea);

8.  Severe envenomation: (severe alteration of mental status, severe hypotension, severe tachycardia, tachypnea, respiratory insufficiency); coagulation parameters are abnormal; serious bleeding or severe threat of bleeding.

9. Coagulation -(also known as clotting) is the process by which blood changes from a liquid to a gel, forming a clot. - Results in Hemostasis (The stoppage of blood flow) due to damage to blood vessels and soft tissue

10. Coagulation cont…  Blood platelets produce a protein called Thrombin, which produces a protein fiber that binds blood together

11. Blood  Connective Tissue that is essential for transporting substances between body cells and defending the body  Roughly 3x more viscous than water  Men have 5-6 liters, Women have 4-5 liters

12. Plasma  Yellow liquid that holds blood cells together  Makes up about 55% of blood volume

13. Erythrocytes  Red blood cells, concave discs.  Shape allows for transportation of gases.

14. Hemoglobin  Protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen  Also plays a role in maintaining the shape of red blood cells.  Give the red color to blood. When oxygen is released, results in deoxyhemoglobin, which is much darker

15. Oxyhemoglobin vs. Deoxyhemoglobin

16. Macrophages  “Eat” and destroy damaged red blood cells.  Primarily in liver and speen  Body constantly produces new cells, therefore they need to get red of the old ones.

17. Leukocytes  White blood cells that protect against disease.  Account for less than 1% of blood volume  Develop from red bone marrow

18. Function of Leukocytes  Some Phagocytize (eat) bacteria, some produce antibodies that destroy particles  Can move in and out of blood vessels into other tissue

19. Leukemia  Cancer of the white blood cells  Bone marrow produce abnormal leukocytes that don’t function properly

20. Thrombocytes  Platelets that are not complete cells. They fragment off of larger cells in the bone marrow.  Lack a nucleus and is half the size of a erythrocyte  Help close breaks in blood vessels and initiate blood clots

21. Fibrin: Fibrous protein involved with blood clotting. Hemostasis: The stoppage of bleeding - Coagulation: Blood clotting

22. Embolus  A clot that dislodges and breaks loose and is carried away by the blood flow.  Continues to flow until it reaches a narrow vessel and lodges.  Can be very dangerous is lodges in heart, lungs, or brain.  Drugs can be given to “break up” the clot