Coagulopathy following bites by the Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni).
Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis
; 6(1): 65-72, 1995 Feb.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-7540879
ABSTRACT
The mechanisms of haemostatic failure were studied in 87 patients bitten by the Papuan taipan (Oxyuranus scutellatus canni). Eighty (92%) had evidence of a coagulopathy on laboratory testing; 36 (41.4%) developed spontaneous systemic bleeding, although this was rarely of clinical significance. Coagulation assays in 48 completely defibrinated patients showed marked reductions in factors V and VIII and reductions in factors II, IX, XI, XII and XIIIA. There was a reduction in plasminogen and alpha 2-antiplasmin levels and both total and cross-linked fibrin(ogen) degradation products (FDP) levels were elevated. The mean platelet count was initially decreased and fell further during admission. Similar but less severe changes were seen in patients who were mildly defibrinated. Following treatment with antivenom, fibrinogen levels rose rapidly and coagulability was restored within 6-12 h in 93% of patients. These abnormalities may be primarily attributable to the prothrombin activator present in taipan venom, but it is likely that other uncharacterized venom components contributed.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Snake Bites
/
Elapidae
/
Hemorrhagic Disorders
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis
Journal subject:
ANGIOLOGIA
/
HEMATOLOGIA
Year:
1995
Type:
Article