THE ROLE OF VARIOUS ANTITHROMBOTIC AGENTS IN MICROVASCULAR SURGERY

The ultimate goal in microvascular surgery is to achieve improved pate ncy rates,while reducing complications of systemic antithrombotic agen ts. Using a described model of microarterial thrombosis, the antithrom botic effects of oral aspirin (ASA) were assessed in rats. ASA-treated animals (30 mg/kg orally) exhibited significantly prolonged mean blee ding times 1 h and 24 h after dosing when compared to controls (p < 0. 01). Platelet aggregation profiles also displayed an inhibition of pla telet aggregation in the ASA group relative to controls. In the thromb osis model, however, patency rates were significantly improved at 20 m in, but all vessels were thrombosed at 24 h.