SummaryHaemostatic parameters were assessed before insulin induced hypoglycaemia and 0, 1 and 2 fu after discontinuation of insulin infusion in 7 non-diabetics, aged 28 (22-31) years (mean and range), and 8 juvenile diabetics, aged 3L (27-35) years, with a mean duration of diabetes of 4 years. The patients were normoglycaemic for at least L0 hr before the study.Platelet aggregation in vitro was induced by lower adenosine diphosphate (ADP) concentrations in the diabetics than in the controls before hypoglycaemia and 0 and 60 min after insulin infusion. Platelet counts decreased significantly in the diabetics after hypoglycaemia, whereas no changes were seen in the control group. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was reduced in both groups and significantly lower in the diabetics than in the controls 120 min after insulin infusion.Fibrinogen and factor VIII R: Ag increased after insulin infusion; highest values were seen in the diabetics. The euglobulin clot lysis time (ELT) was reduced in both groups during insulin infusion; L20 min after end of insulin infusion ELT was significantly longer in the diabetics than in the control group.

SummaryEleven severely affected haemophilia A patients (aged 6-42 y) with F VIII : C inhibitor (high responders) were treated with highdose F VIII in order to eliminate the inhibitors. The patients comprise Danish high responder patients treated during the period 1977-1985.In all patients the inhibitors decreased significantly. In six, the inhibitor apparently disappeared (detection limit 0.4 Bethesda Units per ml) (BU/ml), in four patients a low level inhibitor of 0.4-1.4 BU/ml persisted. One patient is still on high-dose ;schedule. The duration of high-dose treatments ranged from less than one month up to 18 months. In all patients the tendency to spontaneous bleedings vanished when a measurable VIII : C level appeared in the post-infusion sample. The inhibitor suppression has allowed for extensive physical training and rehabilitation orthopaedic surgery. The patients are now able to conduct a normal haemophilic life on self-administered prophylactic doses of F VIII.

A significant correlation was found between the inhibition produced by 1% halothane with nitrous oxide and oxygen on platelet aggregation in vitro and the increase in bleeding time during anaesthesia with halothane, nitrous oxide and oxygen in 10 patients. It is suggested that halothane in nitrous oxide with oxygen inhibits platelet aggregation in vivo and in vitro. The inhibition is not seen when platelet aggregation is studied in platelet-rich plasma from anaesthetized patients because the agents evaporate during preparation of platelet-rich plasma and during analysis in the aggregometer.

SummaryHuman platelets in platelet rich plasma (PRP) incubated at 37° C with 0.3–2% halothane for 5–10 min lost the ability to aggregate with ADP, epinephrine and collagen.At the same time uptake and release of 14C-serotonin was inhibited. When halothane supply was removed, platelet functions rapidly returned to normal. However, after high concentrations of halothane, the inhibition of platelet aggregation was irreversible or only partially reversible.The results suggest that halothane anaesthesia produces a transient impairment of platelet function.

In 14 patients with coronary heart disease the effect of long-term treatment (mean 16 months, range 12-33) with alprenolol on platelet function and fibrinolytic activity was studied. While on the beta-blocker and two weeks after gradual withdrawal of it, the patients performed a bicycle-ergometer test and blood samples were obtained before and following exercise. Pre-exercise fibrinolytic activity, assessed by the euglobulin clot lysis time, was 183 +/- 27 min (mean +/- SEM) while on alprenolol as compared to 111 +/- 18 min (p less than 0.01) after its withdrawal. Activation of fibrinolysis following exercise was not significantly influenced by alprenolol. In patients treated with alprenolol, the pre-exercise threshold level of ADP, producing platelet aggregation was 3.3 muM (geometric mean) and 5.1 muM after stopping treatment (p less than or equal to 0.05). In patients receiving the beta-blocker, the ADP- threshold value dropped from 3.3 muM before exercise to 2.3 muM immediately after exercise (not significant). The corresponding values after withdrawal of alprenolol were 5.1 muM and 2.7 muM (p less than or equal to 0.02). Adrenaline - stimulated aggregation was not significantly influenced by alprenolol. Serotonin release from platelets following maximal ADP- and adrenaline stimuli was not significantly changed by exercise in patients on beta-blockade. After stopping treatment, ADP-induced serotonin release was 22 +/- 4.1% before and 15 +/- 4.7% after exercise (p less than 0.02). the corresponding values using the adrenaline stimulus were 29 +/- 5.7% and 17 +/- 4.7% (p less than 0.05). It is suggested that during physical stress alprenolol may protect platelets against aggregatory stimuli.