Can a simple ultrasound improve rattlesnake bite care?
NCT ID NCT04188899
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This study explores whether emergency doctors can use a portable ultrasound machine to better assess tissue damage from rattlesnake bites. Current methods rely on physical exams, which may miss early changes. The goal is to see if ultrasound can detect injury earlier and help doctors decide when and how much antivenom to give. The study involves 150 adult patients who have been bitten by a rattlesnake.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- point-of-care ultrasound
- What this could lead to
- If successful, bedside ultrasound could become a standard tool for quickly and accurately assessing rattlesnake bite severity, helping doctors give the right amount of antivenom sooner.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small, early-stage study focused on diagnosis, not treatment. Ultrasound may not always detect damage that physical exam misses, and results may not apply to all snakebite types.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RATTLESNAKE BITE (DIAGNOSIS) are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Study contacts
-
Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
-
Banner University Medical Center-Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, 85724, United States
Contact