Fibrinogenolysis in Venom-Induced Consumption Coagulopathy after Snakebites: A Pilot Study.

Envenomations that are caused by snakebites are mostly accompanied by venom-induced consumption coagulopathy (VICC) with defibrination. The clinical course of VICC is well described; however, reports about its detailed effects in the hemocoagulation systems of patients are sparse. In this pilot study, we prospectively analyzed the changes in plasma fibrinogen that were caused by the envenomation of six patients by five non-European snakes. Western blot analysis was employed and fibrinogen fragments were visualized with the use of specific anti-human fibrinogen antibodies. All of the studied subjects experienced hypo- or afibrinogenemia. The western blot analysis demonstrated fibrinogenolysis of the fibrinogen chains in all of the cases. Fibrinogenolysis was considered to be a predominant cause of defibrination in , , and envenomation; while, in the cases of VICC that were caused by and envenomation, the splitting of the fibrinogen chains was present less significantly.