Summary
This study explores the effects on some hematological parameters of a low-dose aspirin
regimen (50 mg/day) versus a conventional aspirin treatment with reported antithrombotic
efficacy (324 mg/day), in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Fifteen patients
were randomized into 3 equal groups receiving 50 mg or 324 mg aspirin or placebo,
daily for 21 days. Compared with placebo, bleeding time was significantly and similarly
prolonged with both aspirin doses (+ 71 ± 22% and + 69 ± 20%, mean ± S.D.). Aspirin
50 mg/day suppressed arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation and secondary phase
aggregation after ADP and adrenaline. Collagen aggregation was inhibited by 44 ± 15%.
In no case were differences in the antiplatelet effects of the two doses observed.
The effects of 50 mg/day persisted without attenuation during the observation period.
Platelet thromboxane B2 generation during arachidonate-induced aggregation was inhibited by 95 ± 2 and 99
± 1% compared to placebo group after 50 and 324 mg/day, respectively (P between doses
<0.05). No change was observed with any treatment in coagulation time, prothrombin
time or plasma thromboplastin time. Thus, in patients with acute myocardial infarction,
the antiplatelet effects of aspirin 50 mg/day are stable over time and superimposable
on those of 324 mg/day. The antithrombotic efficacy of aspirin 50 mg/day remains to
be tested clinically.
Keywords
Aspirin - Myocardial infarction - Thromboxane - Prostacyclin