Platelet function in coronary artery disease: Effects of coronary surgery and sulfinpyrazone

Abstract

Platelet survival and plasma concentrations of β thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 were measured in 44 patients before and 6 months after coronary artery bypass grafting. Postoperatively, patients were randomized to receive sulfinpyrazone, 800 mg/day, or placebo. Preoperatively, platelet survival was significantly shorter than normal, and plasma concentrations of both platelet-specific proteins were significantly elevated. Postoperatively, all three indexes of platelet function tended to become normal, but these changes were statistically significant only in patients treated with sulfinpyrazone. Postoperative exercise testing correlated significantly with plasma concentrations of β thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4 measured preoperatively and postoperatively. These results are consistent with reports of the effects of sulfinpyrazone on platelet involvement in other conditions, and suggest that the drug reduces platelet activation and inhibits actual destruction. The results also show a relationship between abnormalities of platelet function and an index of postoperative myocardial ischemia.