Effect of ethanol on coagulation
in vitro and vivo
measured by thromboelastography

The blood clotting characteristics of healthy individuals who recently consumed
alcohol may have important clinical consequences. These individuals are often
seen as patients in trauma settings and optimal administration of blood
products depends on clotting characteristics.
A number of studies have shown that alcohol consumption is an important
contributing factor for injuries among patients seeking for emergency care [1,
2]. Drinking in the event of injury has been found to be related to falls,
intentional injuries and transit related injuries. These patients are often
sent immediately to the operation theatre for a surgical procedure and may
loose more blood compared to sober patients and hence are exposed to the
negative effects of administered blood products in addition to higher costs.

to determine the immediate effects of alcohol consumption in healthy volunteers
on haemostasis and to evaluate the differences of artificially alcoholised
blood and *naturally*, via oral uptake alcoholised blood on haemostasis as
measured by thromboelastography.

clinical observational mono-center study

the consumption of three alcoholic beverages (800mg/kg ethanol) of either beer
or wine compared to the consumption of water.

Subjects consume 3 units of alcohol. One blood sample of 39 ml followed by 5
samples of 21 ml will be drawn between 17.00 hours and 18.00 hours
respectively. All observations take place in a single visit. It is unlikely
that subjects will experience any physical or psychological discomfort from the
total 144 ml blood sample. The volunteers will fast for six hours prior to the
first blood sample to obtain a reliable blood ethanol concentration. After
sampling at 22.00 hours volunteers are offered a warm meal and care will be
taken for transportation homewards.