Excessive fibrinolysis: the coagulopathy following Merrem's hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bites.

Authors:
  • SGS B Gunatilake
    S B Gunatilake
  • SSS L Seneviratne
    S L Seneviratne
  • HSH J de Silva
    H J de Silva
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Abstract
In 56 patients with proven hump-nosed viper (Hypnale hypnale) bites, 12 (21.4%) developed continued oozing of blood from the site of the bite and a prolonged clotting time. Further investigations showed low fibrinogen levels and increased fibrinogen degradation products in plamsa. The bleeding time, platelet count, prothrombin time, and partial thromboplastin time with kaolin were normal. The bite of this snake can be complicated with a coagulopathy in which excessive fibrinolysis seems to be the main abnormality.