Consumption of alcohol leads to platelet inhibition in men

Introduction: Alcohol consumption has been shown to alter coagulation. However, thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG PM) to evaluate platelet function has not been studied. Methods: A prospective, non-randomized study of healthy volunteers was conducted. Baseline TEG PM were collected. Subjects consumed alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages for 2 h. Repeat TEG PM was collected. Results: Fifty-four volunteers entered either the experimental group (EG, 17 women and 16 men) or control group (CG, 11 women and 10 men). After 2 h of alcohol or non-alcoholic drink consumption the median breath alcohol level was 0.08 [IQR 0.05, 0.12] in the EG and 0.00 in the CG. After consumption of alcohol, male EG subjects demonstrated higher median Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) inhibition of platelet function (15.7% [3.9, 39.3] vs 8.2% [0, 30.1), p = 0.035), but female subjects did not. There was no evidence of increased arachidonic acid (AA) platelet inhibition in the EG compared to CG. Clot strength (TEG maximum amplitude) was not different between groups. Conclusion: After consumption of alcohol, healthy male volunteers demonstrate ADP platelet inhibition by TEG PM.