Platelet deposition on human atherosclerotic lesions is decreased by low-dose aspirin in combination with dipyridamole.
Eighteen patients with ischaemic peripheral vascular disease were treated for a 5-week period with either 20 mg aspirin daily, 75 mg dipyridamole three times daily or a combination of these two treatments. Before and after 4 weeks' treatment autologous platelet labelling with 111In was carried out and sites of active vascular platelet uptake monitored, and platelet half-life measured. Neither aspirin nor dipyridamole alone had any effect on platelet uptake or on platelet half-life. The combination of aspirin and dipyridamole resulted in a significant decrease in platelet uptake and a nonsignificant trend towards prolongation of platelet half-life. These findings suggest that this combined therapy may be of benefit in the treatment of atherosclerosis in man.
Sinzinger
H
H
Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Vienna, Austria.
O'Grady
J
J
Fitscha
P
P
D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*
D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D004176:Dipyridamole; D001241:Aspirin