THE EFFECT OF TICLOPIDINE UPON PLASMA-FIBRINOGEN LEVELS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SUPRAPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

The mechanisms of the antithrombotic effect of the platelet aggregatio n inhibiting agent Ticlopidine might include a decrease of the plasma fibrinogen level. The effect of ticlopidine on increased fibrinogen sy nthesis following trauma, such as surgery, is however not known. 46 pa tients who underwent suprapubic prostatectomy were randomized to recei ve either (group A) Ticlopidine (2 x 250 mg daily) from the second pre operative day until the seventh postoperative day or (group B) placebo up till the day of surgery and further acenocoumarol against post-ope rative thrombosis. We measured the plasma fibrinogen levels pre- and p ost-operatively and observed that the level and in particular the rise of the plasma fibrinogen concentration was not different in the two g roups. It is concluded that compared with the standard treatment in gr oup B ticlopidine does not influence trauma-induced fibrinogen increas e.