snakebite accident; laboratory markers; hemostasis; snake antivenom.

Among the species present in the Brazilian fauna, snakes of the Bothrops and Crotalus genera are responsible for the highest frequency of snakebites in our country. Such accidents, although still neglected, constitute a serious public health problem. Snake venom is a complex mixture of toxins, enzymes, activators and growth factor inhibitors that have deleterious effects on cells. Among such harmful effects, hematological abnormalities emerge as the most common of snake envenomation, with consumption coagulopathy being the most frequent and important. Given the above and due to the frequency and potential severity of snakebites, in addition to the difficulties encountered in their management, the present study aimed to survey the literature on the main snakebites (Bothrops and Crotalus) in our country, in addition to know the laboratory profile of victims of such accidents treated at Hospital de Pronto Socorro XXIII (HPS XXIII), in Belo Horizonte - MG, before and after antivenom use. Clinical and routine laboratory data were obtained from the patients' medical records. From the blood count data, the following ratios/indices were calculated, namely: NLR, PLR, RML, dNLR, SIRI, AISI and SII. Data analysis revealed that the vast majority of victims were male for both genders of snakes, with Crotalus accidents being the most serious. As for routine laboratory parameters, in bothropic accidents, the PT/INR showed an increased value before the antivenom serum, reflecting hemostatic disorders. Likewise, PT/RNI was also shown to be increased in crotalic accidents before antivenom serum, possibly reflecting low fibrinogen levels. As for the number of platelets, a drop in their number was observed after the antivenom serum. Before the serum, a reduction in MCH was also observed, which increased after the antivenom use. Ratios/indices derived from complete blood count parameters showed inconsistent results, not adding value to routine data. The data analyzed together allowed us to conclude that snakebites, Bothrops or Crotalus, are associated with several laboratory disorders, particularly hemostatic, of varying severity, but potentially fatal; Crotalus accidents, as expected, were more severe compared to bothrops; and the use of antivenom sérumtends to normalize the results of laboratory tests, indicating an evident benefit to patients. In view of the above, rapid admission to a specialized service for appropriate treatment on an urgent basis is mandatory.