Urinary fibrin (-ogen) degradation products in Russell's viper (Daboia russelii siamensis) bite victims.

Serum and urine concentrations of fibrin (-ogen) degradation products (FDP) were estimated in 20 proven Russell's viper bite (RVB) cases with severe defribination. All patients had similar degrees of high serum FDP levels. However, the ten who developed into acute renal failure (ARF) had significantly (p < 0.001) higher urinary FDP levels than those who did not. The urinary FDP levels of ARF cases increased correspondingly with high serum FDP levels but not in cases without ARF. Serial comparison of serum and urinary FDP levels in RVB cases with severe defibrination may be of value in predicting the likelihood of developing ARF. The present study favored disseminated intravascular coagulation as the main cause of ARF in Myanmar RVB cases.