Influence of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on the hemostatic and fibrinolytic system in patients with hypothalamicpituitary disorders

Summary

In order to study the acute and prolonged effects of hypoglycemia on the hemostatic and fibrinolytic system we measured prothrombin fragment (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT), platelet factor 4 (PF4), β-thromboglobulin (âTG), factor VIII antigen (F VIII antigen), D-dimer, tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1) in 22 patients during insulin tolerance test. F1+2 and TAT increased significantly 15 and 90 minutes after administration of insulin, as did PF4 and âTG. At 4 and 24 hours, these parameters were not different from baseline. Factor VIII antigen was not significantly altered. D-dimer concentration did not change. However, the D-dimer/TAT ratio significantly decreased at 15 and 90 minutes but increased markedly above baseline at 4 and 24 hours. t-PA antigen was also found to be elevated at 15 and 90 minutes but had returned to baseline at 4 and 24 hours. PAI-1 concentration did not change. We conclude from these data that both coagulation and fibrinolysis are activated in the short-term response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia, followed by a prolonged activation of fibrinolysis. Our study may explain why patients undergoing insulin tolerance test, despite marked clotting and platelet activation, almost never develop thromboembolic complications.

Keywords

Hypoglycemia - hemostasis - fibrinolysis - thrombin markers

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