OBJECTIVE

The effects of the volatile anaesthetic desflurane on platelet activation in vitro were studied and compared to those of halothane.

METHODS

Platelet-rich plasma was exposed to 2 MAC of desflurane or halothane, or air only and stimulated by platelet agonists ADP (2.5, 5 and 10 micromol L(-10) and collagen (10 microg m(L-1)). Platelet response was measured by Born aggregometry (maximum aggregation response, area under the curve) and flow cytometry (mean channel fluorescence, percentage of CD62P-positive cells, index of platelet activation for positive platelets).

RESULTS

Aggregation response was significantly reduced in platelets exposed to desflurane or halothane; the inhibitory effect was more pronounced when the areas under the curve were analysed: values ranged from 37.5% to 73.3% of control samples for ADP stimulation and 77.1% to 79.8% for collagen stimulation. CD62P expression before and after stimulation with receptor agonists was not statistically different in platelets exposed to desflurane, halothane or air.

CONCLUSIONS

By impairing platelet aggregation while not affecting alpha-degranulation desflurane has a differential effect on various aspects of platelet activation similar to halothane. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis of an impairment of platelet thromboxane receptor signalling by halothane. We suggest a similar mechanism for desflurane.