Effect of Acute Ethanol Intoxication on Primary Haemostasis, Coagulation Factors and Fibrinolytic Activity

Abstract

The effect of ethanol intoxication on haemostasis was studied by transection of mesenteric microvessels and liver resection in the rat. Plasma concentrations of alcohol were within the range of those found in ethanol intoxication in man. Bleeding time and blood loss were increased 1 h after ethanol administration, regardless of the utilized technique. A significant positive correlation existed between bleeding time following liver resection and bleeding time after simultaneous transection of a mesenteric arteriole and venule. Coagulation mechanisms, assayed by whole blood clotting time, APT time, one-stage prothrombin time, recalcification time, thrombin time, Owren’s P & P test and determination of plasma factor V and fibrinogen levels, were not significantly changed in ethanol-intoxicated animals. Administration of alcohol did not affect fibrinolytic activity, while it inhibited significantly ADP and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in the rat.

Ethanol impairs coagulation and fibrinolysis in whole blood: a study performed with rotational thromboelastometry

“…Some studies have found an upregulation of tPA expression and a decrease in PAI-1 transcription, something that would explain the increased fibrinolytic activity [33][34][35][36]. However, there are also studies having found an acute inhibitory effect or no effect at all of ethanol on fibrinolysis [9][10][11]. We found a decrease in fibrinolytic activity in this study, a finding supporting van de Wiel et al who found similar results in their study [11].…”

“…However, these studies have in general been performed on components of blood, rather than on whole blood, and the effects reported are not in agreement. Several studies have found an alcohol induced impairment of the primary hemostasis, whereas the humoral coagulation factors and the fibrinolytic system were unaffected [7][8][9]. El-Sayed et al [10] corroborated these results on the humoral coagulation factors and the fibrinolysis, but others have found an acute impairment of the fibrinolytic system by increased ethanol levels [11,12].…”

Impaired hemostasis following denervation of the rat spleen

“…After midline laparotomy, the spleen was exposed and a pre-weighed aluminium cup was placed under the caudal pole. Approximately 0.01 g (1%) of the caudal splenic pole was resected in a standardized manner, according to Zoucas et al [28]. Bleeding time was equal to the time required for the formation of hemostafic a plug, which was recorded by observing the bleeding surface through a microscope at 10 x magnification.…”

“…Standardized transection of mesenteric microvessels with a diameter of 250-300 gm was carried out as previously described [28]. Bleeding time and blood loss were recorded as described above.…”

Effect of Intraarterial, Intraportal or Combined Norepinephrine Infusion on Hemorrhage at Experimental Liver Trauma in the Rat

“…Infusion of NE or 0.9% NaCl was per formed according to the experimental protocol, using a Harward pump. A standardized resection of the left anterior liver lobe was performed by means of a pair of scissors as described earlier [14], Two to three per cent of the total liver weight was excised. Bleeding time was registered by observing the traumatized sur face through an operating microscope.…”