Effect of methylprednisolone on coagulation

Abstract

This in vitro study examined the effects of methylprednisolone on coagulation status. Venous blood samples were collected from 12 adult subjects including healthy volunteers and patients presenting to the emergency department and analyzed for coagulation changes using the modified recalcification time (MRT) test prior to and after the addition of methylprednisolone. Mean +/- SD MRT control values before the addition of methylprednisolone (MRTC) and after (MRTCP) were 5.4 +/- 1.5 and 5.7 +/- 1.3 minutes, respectively. The MRT saline values prior to treatment with methylprednisolone (MRTS) and after (MRTSP) were 5.6 +/- 1.2 and 5.4 +/- 1.1 minutes, respectively. The MRT endotoxin prior to the introduction of steroid (MRTE) and after its addition (MRTEP) were 3.8 +/- 0.8 and 5.2 +/- 1.4 minutes, respectively. The MRTE values in the presence of methylprednisolone were significantly different between groups. This may suggest that the monocyte-stimulated release of the procoagulant tissue factor is inhibited by the corticosteroid, causing the blood to be relatively hypocoagulable.