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A new variant of hereditary thrombocytopenia combined with giant platelets and inclusion bodies in the leukocytes different from those found in the May Hegglin anomaly and from Döhle bodies is presented. Investigations of platelet function, platelet nucleotides and clotting studies revealed normal results. Beside their size and spherical shape platelets did not show morphologic abnormalities. The inclusion bodies were similar to those found in the Fechtner syndrome, a variant of Alport's syndrome. However, the feature of Alport's syndrome, including high frequency deafness, congenital cataracts, and chronic interstitial nephritis are absent in the family pedigree. Thus the Sebastian platelet syndrome represents a unique syndrome with giant platelets and inclusion bodies in the leukocytes.

Treatment of overwhelming but reversible respiratory failure has broadened to include extracorporeal support with a membrane lung. Until recently, it has been necessary to rely on heparin to prevent clotting in an extracorporeal circuit. During prolonged bypass heparinisation may be attended by bleeding. We investigated the use of arvin for systemic anticoagulation in extracorporeal membrane lung bypass in lambs. Arvin is a purified fraction of the venom of the Malayan pit viper. Effective anticoagulation was obtained for an average of 4 days (range 2 to 12 days) through complete fibrinogen depletion by arvin. These preliminary data suggest that arvin anticoagulation may be suitable for prolonged extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.