Relation between acute hypoxia and activation of coagulation in human beings

Lancet. 2003 Jun 28;361(9376):2207-8. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)13777-4.

Abstract

The risk of venous thrombosis may be increased during aeroplane flights, which may, partly, relate to activation of coagulation by hypoxia that is caused by the reduction of pressure in the aircraft cabin. To find out whether hypoxia activates coagulation, we exposed eight healthy human participants to 8 h of isocapnic hypoxia and 8 h of air as a control. Venous blood was sampled before and after the exposure and analysed for markers of activated coagulation. There were no significant changes. We conclude that hypoxia has no major effect on coagulation in the general population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aerospace Medicine*
  • Air Pressure
  • Antithrombin III
  • Blood Coagulation / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia / complications
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology*
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Peptide Hydrolases / blood
  • Protein Precursors / blood
  • Prothrombin
  • Venous Thrombosis / etiology

Substances

  • Peptide Fragments
  • Protein Precursors
  • antithrombin III-protease complex
  • prothrombin fragment 1
  • prothrombin fragment 2
  • Antithrombin III
  • Prothrombin
  • Peptide Hydrolases