Antithrombin III in Echis carinatus envenomation in northern Nigeria.

Antithrombin III was evaluated in 21 patients admitted with Echis carinatus envenomation. Although there was evidence of incoagulability in all patients and elevated fibrin degradation products, mean antithrombin III levels were found to be significantly greater than in controls. This result suggests that Echis carinatus venom (echarin) may bypass the consumption of antithrombin III molecules.