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Clinically applicable laboratory end-points for treating snakebite coagulopathy

Isbister, Geoffrey K., Williams, Vaughan, Brown, Simon G. A., White, Julian and Currie, Bart J. (2006). Clinically applicable laboratory end-points for treating snakebite coagulopathy. Pathology,38(6):568-572.

Document type: Journal Article
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IRMA ID s994677xPUB192
Title Clinically applicable laboratory end-points for treating snakebite coagulopathy
Author Isbister, Geoffrey K.
Williams, Vaughan
Brown, Simon G. A.
White, Julian
Currie, Bart J.
Journal Name Pathology
Publication Date 2006
Volume Number 38
Issue Number 6
ISSN 0031-3025   (check CDU catalogue  open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 568
End Page 572
Total Pages 5
Place of Publication UK
Publisher Informa Healthcare
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DEST)
Abstract Aims: To determine which coagulation tests best reflect the return of clotting function after snakebite venom induced consumptive coagulopathy (VICC). Methods: Cases of snake envenoming were prospectively recruited to the Australian Snakebite Project (ASP). This study examined cases with VICC treated with antivenom and monitored with serial measures of clottable fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The main outcome measures were times from antivenom treatment until a moderate recovery in the PT (< 24 seconds), a measurable aPTT and detectable fibrinogen. Results: Forty-six cases were examined, including 27 brown snakes with proven complete venom neutralisation by antivenom in 25, 16 tiger snake group and three taipans. The times from initial antivenom dose to recovery were: PT < 24 seconds, median 9.2 hours (IQR 6.2-11.3 hours); measurable aPTT, median 5.2 hours (IQR 3.4-8.8 hours); and detectable fibrinogen, median 8.8 hours (IQR 5.4-11.7 hours). In 10 cases where fibrinogen was detectable earlier than recovery of the PT, the mean fibrinogen was 0.25g/L (SD 0.10) compared with 0.6g/L (SD 0.28) in the remaining 36 cases (p < 0.0001), reflecting differing sensitivities between laboratories. In only three patients (7%) was fibrinogen measurable before the other two outcomes, using highly sensitive fibrinogen assays. Conclusion: The combination of the PT and aPTT is an effective, clinically available and cost-effective end-point for treating VICC, and may take longer to return to normal after venom neutralisation than previously believed. The fibrinogen assays that are generally in use do not provide any additional useful information.
Keywords coagulopathy
prothrombin activator
snake bite
fibrinogen
coagulation assays
antivenom
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00313020601024045   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
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