Effects of DETANONOate, a nitric oxide donor, on hemostasis in rabbits: An in vitro and in vivo thrombelastographic analysis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if whole blood thrombelastographic variables (reaction time, K, α, and maximum amplitude) would be adversely effected by exposure to the nitric oxide (NO) donor, DETANONOate, in vitro or after alveolar instillation in vivo. Materials and Methods: Conscious rabbits (n = 10) had blood sampled from ear arteries anticoagulated with sodium citrate. The blood was then incubated with 0, 1, 5, 10, or 20 mmol/L DETANONOate for 30 minutes. Arterial blood from anesthetized rabbits (n = 4) was obtained and anticoagulated before and 60 minutes after 1 mmol/L DETANONOate (2 mL/kg) was instilled into the right lung. After incubation, all samples were placed in a thrombelastograph and recalcified, with thrombelastographic variables measured for 45 minutes. Results: In vitro, 10 mmol/L DETANONOate significantly (P < .05) increased reaction time, K, and decreased α compared with values observed after incubation with 0, 1, and 5 mmol/L DETANONOate. Twenty mmol/L DETANONOate significantly (P < .05) increased reaction time, K, and decreased α and maximum amplitude values compared with all other concentrations. In vivo, DETANONOate administration did not significantly affect thrombelastographic variables. Conclusion: DETANONOate significantly decreased hemostatic function in vitro in a dose-dependent fashion but did not significantly affect hemostatic function in vivo. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.