Platelet aggregability after endoscopic intravariceal injection of 5 per cent ethanolamine oleate into oesophageal varices

Platelet aggregability and the coagulative and fibrinolytic systems were examined in 45 patients who underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices. Five per cent ethanolamine oleate, the sclerosant used, was injected into the oesophageal varices. There were significant increases in the concentrations of fibrinopeptide A, fibrinopeptide B‐β‐15–42 and fibrin degradation products‐E after the sclerotherapy. At 1 h after the sclerotherapy the mean(s.e.m.) platelet aggregation was significantly suppressed to 71·9(4·2) per cent of that before the treatment (P <0·01). There was a gradual recovery within 1 week to the same level seen before the sclerotherapy. Thomboxane B₂ and 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F_1α, both stable products of thromboxane A₂ and prostacyclin respectively, showed significant temporary increases after the sclerotherapy (P <0·01). The peak increase in the level of thromboxane B₂ was noted within 1 h after the sclerotherapy and earlier than that for 6‐keto‐prostaglandin F_1α. This increased ratio of prostacyclin and thromboxane A₂ may be related to the marked limitation in platelet aggregation.