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Thromb Haemost 1974; 31(03): 420-428
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1649181
Original Article
Schattauer GmbH

The Natural Course of Defibrination Syndrome Caused by Echis Colorata Venom in Man

M Fainaru
1   Departments of Medicine B and Haematology, Hadassah University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
,
S Eisenberg
1   Departments of Medicine B and Haematology, Hadassah University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
,
N Manny
1   Departments of Medicine B and Haematology, Hadassah University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
,
C Hershko
1   Departments of Medicine B and Haematology, Hadassah University Hospital and Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 14 January 1974

Accepted 04 March 1974

Publication Date:
29 June 2018 (online)

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Summary

The natural course of defibrination syndrome caused by Echis colorata venom (ECV) in five patients is reported. All patients developed afibrinogenemia within six hours after the bite. Concomitantly a depression in factor V was recorded. Factor VIII and thrombocyte count in blood were normal in most patients. In the light of the known effects of ECV on blood coagulation in vivo and in vitro it is concluded that the afibrinogenemia is due to intravascular clotting.

Four patients had transient renal damage, manifested by oliguria, azotemia, albuminuria and cylindruria, ascribed to microthrombi in the renal glomeruli.

After the bite, the natural course was benign, no major bleeding was observed, and all signs of coagulopathy reverted to normal within 7 days. Therefore we recommend no specific treatment for this condition. In the case of heavily bleeding patients, administration of antiserum against ECV and/or heparin should be considered.

 

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