Whole Blood Clotting Test for Venom-Induced Consumptive Coagulopathies

The whole blood clotting test (WBCT) is a simple but critical bedside gross examination used in the assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic monitoring of snakebite patients in the developing world and remote environments.1-10 Refer to the diagram below regarding instructions for performing the test. At minutes 20 and 30, the tube is gently picked up and tilted 90 degrees; a stable solid clot retained within the tube is scored “Grade 0” and indicates normal coagulation. Abnormal results are scored “Grade 1” for a partial, semisolid clot that breaks apart and detaches from the glass tube shortly after it is turned or “Grade 2” for completely incoagulable liquid blood that pours out of the tube immediately. Attempting to score the test earlier than 20 minutes will not yield accurate results due to the consumptive mechanism of the coagulopathy. Using a healthy donor as a control is ideal to confirm questionable findings.

Continue WBCT testing throughout the course of care to monitor for secondary resumption of venom-induced consumptive coagulopathy.11-13 After control of the envenomation has been achieved, reassess WBCT every 24 hours throughout the course of hospitalization. It is important to remember that the WBCT must be interpreted in the context of the larger clinical picture. If a patient has improved in all parameters except for a persistent abnormal WBCT, it may reflect an inertia in replenishment of depleted clotting factors after a severe hemotoxic envenomation.1 If the venom is active then hematocrit should continue to decrease or signs of ongoing hemolysis or bleeding should be present.