EN
The influence of some strong drinks containing different amounts of ethanol (beer, vodka, brandy), or ethanol and acetaldehyde on collagen-, ADP-, and trombin-induced platelet aggregation, clot retraction, and prothrombin consumption was determined. Non-distilled drinks containing ethanol and the accompanying compounds, distillates of those drinks containing ethanol and accompanying volatile compounds, and the postdistillation residue with its accompanying compounds were analysed. Chemical compounds inhibiting platelet aggregation were found in 18 of the 26 examined strong drinks. They also inhibit clot retraction and reduce or increase prothrombin consumption. Ethanol and, even more evidently, acetaldehyde inhibit platelet aggregation. Both compounds inhibit also clot retraction. Ethanol decreases, and acetaldehyde increases prothrombin consumption.