Propranolol prevents the development of venous thrombosis in rats by a platelet-dependent mechanism.

To clarify if one of the most common antihypertensive drugs, propranolol, can prevent venous thrombotic process, rats were treated with propranolol (PRO; 5 mg/kg i.p.) in an acute or chronic (14 days) manner. Both regimens resulted in a marked reduction of the systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and, probably as a consequence, in the shortening of the bleeding time (p < 0.01). After ligation of the vena cava, the incidence of the venous...