[Thrombocyte aggregation and serum thromboxane B2 in patients with unstable angina pectoris treated with diltiazem or verapamil].

Patients with unstable angina pectoris have increased thrombocyte aggregation and disturbances in serum prostaglandin balance. As a pilot project, we conducted a single-blind investigation of 24 patients with unstable angina pectoris treated with dilthiazem (n = 12, 240-360 mg) or verapamil (n = 12, 240-360 mg) for ten days. At the commencement of the investigation, both patient groups had hyperaggregating thrombocytes and increased serum-thromboxan-B2 (TXB2) as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.01). In the patient group treated with dilthiazem, the aggregation threshold rose (p < 0.01), and the serum TXB2 values fell to approximately normal (p < 0.05). In the patient group treated with verapamil, no significant changes were observed in the measurements registered. The difference between the two groups remained significant during the entire therapeutic period (p < 0.01). Thus, dilthiazem appears to counteract thrombocyte aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris.