Changes of vascular-platelet hemostasis and von willebrand factor in patients with opioid addiction and type 2 alcoholism

Spontaneous platelet aggregation and aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP), epinephrine, ristomycin, and von Willebrand factor (vWF) were studied in 46 patients suffering from opioid addiction, and in 34 patients with type 2 alcoholism during alcohol withdrawal. Platelet dysfunction was detected in both groups of patients. In patients with opioid addiction platelet dysfunction was manifested by accelerated onset of aggregation induced by epinephrine and ristomycin, but was delayed by ADP. All inducers accelerated the aggregation onset in patients with alcoholism. The maximum amplitude of aggregation was reduced in both studied groups. Von Willebrand factor, i.e. the marker of vascular endothelial damage, was equally elevated in both groups of patients. Ristomycin was found to shorten the aggregation onset, confirming the increase of vWF level and the damage of vascular endothelium. Spontaneous platelet aggregation was found to be increased both in patients with opioid addiction, and in patients with alcoholism, manifesting reduced vascular wall thromboresistance and platelet hyperactivity. Thus, platelet dysfunction and vascular endothelium damage were found to increase the risk of cardio-vascular diseases in patients with opioid addiction and type 2 alcoholism during alcohol withdrawal.