Heparin therapy in Russell's viper bite victims with disseminated intravascular coagulation: a controlled trial

A controlled clinical trial of low dose heparin was carried out in confirmed cases of Russell's viper bite. Twenty patients with systemic envenoming were included in the study. They were randomized to receive low dose heparin in an initial dose of 50 units/kg body weight intravenously immediately after antivenom followed by a continuous infusion of 10 unit 3 kg/hour in isotonic saline for 24 hours, or antivenom alone. Response to treatment was assessed clinically as well as by serial measurements of coagulation factors and biochemical values. No significant difference was observed in the outcome among two groups, the recovery rate from the clotting defect being similar in both. The mean serum creatinine values of the two groups were also not statistically different. The results indicated that there is no beneficial effect of adding heparin to the standard treatment by antivenom.