Haemostatic effects of lysine vasopressin and triglycyl lysine vasopressin infusion in patients with cirrhosis

Abstract

Eight patients with cirrhosis were infused with lysine vasopressin (10 .mu.g LVP) and triglycyl lysine vasopressin (750 .mu.g and 2000 .mu.g Glypressin, GVP) on separate occasions. LVP infusion resulted in an increase in factor VIII, factor VIII-related antigen and plasminogen activator (PA). The factor VIII antigen:activity ratio decreased following infusion, but factor VIII electrophoretic mobility and in vitro decay rate were unchanged. GVP infusion produced no change in factor VIII or PA. Assay of vasopressin-like antigen and antidiuretic activity showed that GVP is cleaved to LVP in vivo. The low LVP levels formed by this reaction might explain the prolonged vasomoter effects of GVP, as well as its inability to cause release of factor VIII or PA. Compared to LVP, GVP has a longer pressor effect in vivo, has no effect on fibrinolysis and exhibits no cardiotoxic effects and may therefore be the treatment of choice in bleeding esophageal varices.