Trial of heparin in viper bites.
OBJECTIVE
Viper bites produce hematotoxicity and coagulopathy which may be either true disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or DIC-like syndrome. Role of heparin is studied in the present study of viper bite cases as use of heparin provides a rational therapy for defibrination caused by viper envenomation.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty two patients with viper bite and incoagulable blood were randomised into test group and control group. Test group received heparin in addition to antisnake venom (ASV). Efficacy was assessed by monitoring bleeding time (BT), clotting time (CT), prothrombin time (PT), platelets, fibrinogen, blood urea (BU), serum creatinine, development of complications and overall outcome.


RESULTS
Heparin group showed favourable outcome in all parameters studied. But many of them were not statistically significant.


CONCLUSIONS
Heparin seems to be having a beneficial role which needs to be confirmed by larger trials and longer duration of heparin administration.
Department of Medicine, Jubilee Mission Hospital, Thrissur, Kerala.
V
V
Paul
K A
KA
Prahlad
J
J
Earali
S
S
Francis
F
F
Lewis
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017840:Daboia; D012909:Snake Bites / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin