1981 Volume 22 Issue 9 Pages 1239-1247
The influences of heparin and steroid on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system were investigated in the experimental acute hepatic failure of rabbits induced by D-galactosamine HCI (lg per kg). The great majority of untreated rabbits died within 60 hour (mean±SD 34.2±15.1 hour) following a typical course of fulminant hepatic failure with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Both the administrations of heparin (200IU/24 hours) and steroid (prednisolone 4mg/kg/24 hours) attenuated the elevation of transaminase to some extent but only the heparin significantly prolonged the survival (54.0±6.4 hour, p<0.005). The administration of heparin induced hypocoagulability and hyperfibrinolysis and prohibited the occurrence of DIC. On the contrary, the administration of prednisolone inhibited fibrinolysis and increased the frequency of microthrombosis. It is suggested that the steroid therapy on acute hepatic failure enhanced the risk of DIC, which may finally lead to lethal complications.
