The evaluation of whole blood prothrombin time in Russell's Viper Bite cases

ABSTRACT

The Evaluation of whole blood prothrombin time was done in 3 groups of Russell's viper bite victims 20 with incoagulable blood on admission, 19 with coagulable blood only on admission and 16 with coagulable blood throughout. The laboratory results suggest that the whole blood prothrombin time is as useful as 20 minutes whole blood clotting time test in indicating for starting antivenom therapy in patients with incoagulable blood on admission but not for the need to repeat the therapy. It is also not as useful as serial monitoring of fibrin (ogen) degradation products in discriminating patients with (or) without progressive defibrination.