The Influence of Beta-adrenergic Blockade upon Baseline Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Activity and upon the Responses to Venous Occlusion

M. J Butler; Muriel Smith; M. H Irving; Y. B Gordon; S. M Ratky; J. W. P Rivers; C Hawkey

doi:10.1055/s-0038-1651365

Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Table of Contents

Thromb Haemost 1975; 34(01): 169-180
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1651365

Original Article

Schattauer GmbH

The Influence of Beta-adrenergic Blockade upon Baseline Blood Coagulation and Fibrinolytic Activity and upon the Responses to Venous Occlusion

M. J Butler

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

Muriel Smith

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

M. H Irving^*

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

Y. B Gordon

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

S. M Ratky

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

J. W. P Rivers

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

,

C Hawkey

¹Professorial Surgical Unit and Departments of Chemical Pathology and Reproductive Physiology, St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Nuffield Institute of Comparative Medicine, London Zoo, London

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Summary

Twenty volunteers were assessed for baseline coagulation (Thrombelastography, Factor VIII and platelet count) and fibrinolytic (Euglobulin Lysis Time and Fibrin(ogen) Degradation Products) activity two hours after ingestion of 60 mgm propranolol or an identical placebo administered on a double blind basis. The responses of these parameters to a fifteen minute period of venous occlusion was also assessed.

Beta adrenergic blockade reduced baseline FDP titres but did not affect other parameters, nor the local response to venous occlusion. During occlusion no significant change in coagulation activity could be detected in the non-occluded arm, but a small but statistically significant shortening of ELT was observed. Since this effect was prevented by propranolol it is probably mediated through adrenergic mechanisms.

Adrenergic stimuli appear to influence episodes of coagulation and fibrinolysis during everyday activity, but do not contribute to baseline levels of coagulation or fibrinolytic function.

Full Text

References

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