Point-of-care Ultrasound in the Assessment of Snake Bite (NCT04188899) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Point-of-care Ultrasound in the Assessment of Snake Bite
United States150 participantsStarted 2026-08-31
Plain-language summary
Early identification of tissue injury from a rattlesnake bite is critical to prevent complications and reduce health care costs. Given the limitations of clinical assessment, there is a need to develop a more objective reproducible, anatomically detailed diagnostic tool for to accurately assess tissue damage and assist with timely administration of antivenom, if needed. Emergency physician performed point-of-care ultrasonography has been shown to be beneficial in the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections. The innovative use of bedside ultrasound technology can provide new information to individualize antivenom treatment and to improve patient outcomes. The objectives of this study is to compare clinical assessment and bedside ultrasound findings in the detection of tissue injury in emergency department patients with rattle snakebite and determine if bedside ultrasound can alter management (antivenom dosing) in emergency department patients with rattle snakebite.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adult patients (18 years and older)
* Both genders
* Complaint of snake bite
Exclusion Criteria:
* If they are unwilling to provide informed consent
* Hemodynamically unstable patients (shock respiratory distress, altered mental status, and cardiorespiratory arrest)
* All vulnerable patient populations, e.g., children, pregnant patients, prisoners, and patients unable to verbally consent due to cognitive impairment
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is specifically about rattlesnake bites — if I was bitten by a different type of snake, would this study still be relevant to my care, or is it only for rattlesnake bite patients?
2The study is looking at whether bedside ultrasound can detect skin and tissue changes from a snake bite earlier than a physical exam alone — how might having that earlier information actually change the treatment decisions my doctors make?
3Since this is listed as 'Phase NA,' it sounds more like a diagnostic or observational study rather than a drug trial — does that mean I would still receive standard rattlesnake bite treatment regardless of whether I participate, with the ultrasound just being an added monitoring tool?
4What does participating in this study actually involve for me day-to-day — how many ultrasound scans would I need, how long would they take, and would they add time to my hospital stay?
5Are there any risks to having repeated bedside ultrasounds as part of this study, and is there any chance that focusing on this monitoring method could delay or distract from other parts of my standard care?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Number of participants in whom ultrasound detected progress of skin changes earlier than physical examination
Timeframe: First 10 hours of Emergency Department encounter