Influence of a bolus injection of thiopental and propofol on the expression density of P-selectin and fibrinogen receptors on the surface of human platelets ex vivo

Objective: Exposure of platelets to anaesthetic agents may alter their functional characteristics and in patients undergoing surgery or long-term sedation this may be clinically relevant. We investigated the influence of thiopentone and propofol on the expression of platelet membrane P-selectin, fibrinogen receptor, and leukocyte-platelet aggregates ex vivo. Methods: In patients undergoing surgery blood samples were taken from a peripheral vein cannula before induction of anaesthesia with propofol (3.0 mg kg(-1) BW) or thiopentone (7.0 mg kg(-1) BW) and five minutes later (n = 11 in each group). Surface expression of the fibrinogen receptor complex (GPIb/IIIa), P-selectin, and the percentage of leukocyte-platelet aggregates were measured by flow cytometry after stimulation via the ADP or thrombin receptor pathway. Results: There was no significant difference in the expression of gpIIb/IIIa, P-selectin, and percentage of leukocyte-platelet aggregates in the thiopentone and propofol group after induction of anaesthesia. Conclusions: In clinically relevant concentrations thiopentone and propofol did not influence the surface expression density of fibrinogen receptors, P-selectin molecules, and the percentage of leukocyte-platelet aggregates ex vivo.