The cardiovascular and haematological effects of purified prothrombin activator from the common brown snake (pseudonaja textilis) and their antagonism with heparin

• Published in: Anaesthesia and intensive care Vol. 20; no. 1; pp. 28 - 32
• Main Authors: TIBBALLS, J, SUTHERLAND, S. K, RIVERA, R. A, MASCI, P. P
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Edgecliff Anaesthesia and Intensive Care 01.02.1992
• Subjects: Animal poisons toxicology. Antivenoms; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Coagulation - drug effects; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Cardiac Output - drug effects; Central Venous Pressure - drug effects; Dogs; Elapid Venoms - analysis; Elapid Venoms - isolation & purification; Elapid Venoms - pharmacology; Electrocardiography - drug effects; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products - analysis; Fibrinogen - analysis; Fibrinolytic Agents - isolation & purification; Fibrinolytic Agents - pharmacology; Heart - drug effects; Heart Block - chemically induced; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hemodynamics - drug effects; Heparin - pharmacology; Medical sciences; Stroke Volume - drug effects; Tachycardia - chemically induced; Thrombocytopenia - chemically induced; Toxicology; Fissipedia; Carnivora; Toxicity; Animal origin; Cardiovascular disease; Exploration; Anticoagulant; Ophidia; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Animal; Venom; Prothrombin; Complication; Reptilia; Hemodynamics; Heparin; Dog; Coagulopathy
• ISSN: 0310-057X; 1448-0271
• DOI: 10.1177/0310057X9202000105

The cardiovascular and haematological effects of purified prothrombin activator derived from the venom of the Australian Common Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textilis) were studied in anaesthetised, mechanically ventilated dogs. Severe depression of systemic blood pressure and cardiac output and a rise in central venous pressure were observed. Thrombocytopenia, prolongation of both prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and a reduction in serum fibrinogen were also observed. All of these observed effects were prevented by the prior administration of heparin--a naturally occurring anticoagulant. We conclude that the prothrombin activator in Pseudonaja textilis venom may cause cardiovascular depression due to myocardial dysfunction secondary to disseminated intravascular coagulation.