Abstract

Our records include two cases of DIC in snakebite patients. One patient, who was 48-years old, was bitten in his left ankle 3 days before admission to our hospital. Initial symptoms were painful swelling, extensive ecchymosis, and persistent bleeding at the bite site. He visited and was admitted to a local hospital, but his condition did not improve with supportive care that included a single dose of antivenin. He was transferred to our hospital. His condition was compatible with DIC. We tried multi-dose antivenin therapy and blood product transfusion. At the seventh hospital day, the patient's symptoms were completely resolved. The other patient, who was 75 years old, was bitten in his right thumb. Initial symptoms were painful swelling of the right arm and persistent bleeding at the bite site, and within minutes of hospital admission, the patient experienced massive hematochezia. We peformed laboratory tests, the results of which were compatible with DIC, and the next day a sigmoidscopic examination showed ischemic colitis. We administered multi-dose antivenin therapy and blood product tranfusion. At the third hospital day mild anemia still existed, but the patient's clinical condition was improved. No signs or symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding were observed. In these two cases, multi-dose antivenin therapy and transfusion effectively resolved symptoms of DIC. Platelet concentrate transfusion was required only for acute thrombocytopenia. After resolution of DIC, platelet counts were returned to normal ranges within a few days. The authors propose that multidose antivenin therapy and coagulation factor transfusion might be useful for improving coagulopathy in snakebite patients.

• Keywords: Snakebite;Antivenin;Disseminated intravascular coagulation;;