Effect of platelet inhibitors on platelet and fibrin deposition following transluminal angioplasty of the atherosclerotic rabbit aorta.

Experimental atherosclerosis was induced in a rabbit model by intimal damage of the infrarenal aorta followed by two months cholesterol feeding. The influence of four different antiplatelet drug regimens on acute platelet and fibrin deposition after transluminal angioplasty of the atherosclerotic abdominal aorta was then evaluated. The study group consisted of 32 New Zealand rabbits: 7 controls, 7 treated with prostacyclin (10 mg/kg/min i.v.), 5 treated with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (2 mg/kg i.v.), 7 treated with acetyl-salicylic acid (5 mg/kg i.v.) and dipyridamole (2 mg/kg i.v.), and 6 treated with low molecular dextran (5 ml/kg). By 2 hours after angioplasty, there was a significant increase of the deposition of platelets (P less than 0.001) as well as fibrin (P less than 0.01) when comparing dilated to non-dilated segments in the control animals. There was no significant difference in the amount of platelets and fibrin deposition among the control and drug treated groups. Thus, in this animal model there appears to be no immediate benefit in using antiplatelet drugs during transluminal angioplasty. Although, this study did not address the potential long-term effects of antiplatelet drug therapy, future evaluation of the clinical benefits of these drugs in conjunction with transluminal angioplasty seems warranted.