In vitro studies of Russell's viper venom on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis.

The effect of Russell's viper venom (RVV) on clot formation and lysis and the effect thereon of specific antivenom for Russell's viper venom, were studied in vitro. RVV had fibrinogenolytic activity, but only at a concentration greatly in excess of that likely to be achieved in vivo after Russell's viper bite. Similarly, RVV did not directly activate the fibrinolytic system in vitro, even at very high concentrations (10,000 micrograms/ml). Furthermore, 40 ml of antivenom (ASV) was found to be sufficient to neutralise the average amount of venom (60 mg) injected by a snake, but insufficient to neutralise amounts in excess of 75 mg.