Thromb Haemost 2003; 89(05): 837-841
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1613470
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

The effect of ß-receptor blockade on factor VIII levels and thrombin generation in patients with venous thromboembolism

Verena Schönauer
1   Departments of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostasis, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Sandra Giannini
1   Departments of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostasis, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Günter Christ
2   Internal Medicine II, Division of Cardiology and the, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Peter Quehenberger
3   Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Christian Bieglmayer
3   Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Milena Stain
1   Departments of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostasis, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
,
Paul A. Kyrle
1   Departments of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostasis, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
4   Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Thrombosis Research, Vienna University, Vienna, Austria
,
Ansgar Weltermann
1   Departments of Internal Medicine I, Division of Haematology and Haemostasis, Vienna University Hospital, Vienna, Austria
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 25 November 2002

Accepted after revision 19 February 2003

Publication Date:
09 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

High factor VIII (FVIII) is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The pathomechanism by which high FVIII leads to an increased risk of VTE is unknown. Physical activity and infusion of adrenalin provoke a rise in FVIII, which can be blocked by a nonselective β-blockade. We tested the hypothesis that in patients with a VTE β-blockade decreases FVIII and inhibits coagulation activation.

17 male patients with high FVIII (> 170 IU/dL, n = 7) or low FVIII (<150 IU/dL, n = 10) and a history of VTE received 40 mg of propranolol thrice daily for 14 days. FVIII and vasopressin levels were measured before and during propranolol intake and 28 days thereafter. At the same time points, haemostatic system activation was investigated by measuring prothrombin fragment f1.2 (f1.2) and thrombin antithrombin complexes (TAT) in venous blood and in blood emerging from a skin incision (shed blood).

The mean FVIII level before propranolol was 192 IU/dL and 115 IU/dL in patients with high and low FVIII, respectively. During and 28 days after propranolol, no significant change in FVIII was seen in both groups. Changes in f1.2 and TAT were not detectable in either venous blood or in shed blood.

β-receptor blockade did not lower FVIII or inhibit haemostatic system activation in patients with VTE and persistently high FVIII. Administration of propranolol cannot be recommended as secondary thromboprophylaxis in patients with high FVIII.