title: Rapid desensitisation of patients with aspirin allergy who undergo coronary angioplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although aspirin is the cornerstone of medication in patients with coronary artery disease, a minority of these patients have aspirin sensitivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an aspirin desensitisation protocol in patients scheduled for coronary angioplasty and stenting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a challenge-desensitisation protocol in 11 patients (6 men, mean age 56 ± 9.6 years) who reported allergy to aspirin and were to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention with stent implantation. Eight had a history of cutaneous sensitivity, 1 had rhinitis, 1 reported urticaria and rhinitis, while another patient showed a respiratory response in the form of an asthma attack after taking aspirin in the past. Eight successive doses of aspirin were given (0.1, 0.3, 10, 30, 40, 81, 162, 325 mg) at intervals of 15-25 min over a total period of 2 h 15 min.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients with aspirin sensitivity completed the desensitisation therapy successfully, without adverse effects, and subsequently underwent angioplasty and stenting. During follow up, the patients continued to take aspirin over 6-19 months without any problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rapid aspirin desensitisation is an effective and safe procedure for patients with aspirin allergy who are to undergo coronary angioplasty and stenting, allowing them to receive the optimum treatment.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Department, Konstantopoulio General Hospital, Nea Ionia, Athens, Greece. christouapostolos@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Apostolos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Christou
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kafkas
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marinakos
authors.forename: Spyridon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Katsanos
authors.forename: Kimon
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Papanikitas
authors.forename: Sotirios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patsilinakos
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008239:Lysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013618:Tachyphylaxis
chemical_list: D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D008239:Lysine; D001241:Aspirin; C010395:acetylsalicylic acid lysinate