Influence of triflusal on platelet activation after coronary artery bypassgraft

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the antiplatelet age nt triflusal on the changes in platelet function in patients who underwent a cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary arteries (CABG). In 20 surgical patie nts, blood was sampled before and at the conclusion of surgery, 48 h later (in the intensive care unit), and after 10 days of treatment with 600 mg/da y triflusal (triflusal was administered from the first day after surgery). Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in wh ole blood, granular release of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet release of thromboxane Bz were measured. Basal values were compared with results in a group of ten healthy volunteers. All platelet determinations of activation were higher in coronary patients than in healthy volunteers. Immediately a fter CABG, the platelet reactivity to ADP and collagen were significantly l ower, and release of beta-thromboglobulin and thromboxane Bt were higher, t han in the pre-CABG samples. During the patient's stay in the intensive car e unit, all values tend to return to pre-CABG values. Triflusal inhibits bo th platelet P-thromboglobulin (63% with respect to the post-CABG value) and thromboxane B-2 (91% with respect to the post-CABG value) release. Platele t aggregation after 10 days of triflusal treatment tended to return to the pre-CABG values. In conclusion, Triflusal reduces platelet activation cause d by the coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Blood Coag Fibrinol 11:191-1 97 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.