The effect of ticlopidine upon plasma fibrinogen levels in patients undergoing suprapubic prostatectomy.

The mechanisms of the antithrombotic effect of the platelet aggregation inhibiting agent Ticlopidine might include a decrease of the plasma fibrinogen level. The effect of ticlopidine on increased fibrinogen synthesis following trauma, such as surgery, is however not known. 46 patients who underwent suprapubic prostatectomy were randomized to receive either (group A) Ticlopidine (2 x 250 mg daily) from the second preoperative day until the seventh postoperative day or (group B) placebo up till the day of surgery and further acenocoumarol against post-operatively and observed that the level and in particular the rise of the plasma fibrinogen concentration was not different in the two groups. It is concluded that compared with the standard treatment in group B ticlopidine does not influence trauma-induced fibrinogen increase.