Platelet kinetics following carotid endarterectomy: the effect of aspirin and patch angioplasty.
Platelet deposition on the subintimal surface of the arterial wall following endarterectomy has been implicated in the development of postoperative thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia and may be important in recurrent stenosis. Autologous radiolabelled platelet deposition has been measured in 51 patients following carotid endarterectomy. The effect of platelet inhibitory drugs and patch angioplasty on early postoperative platelet accumulation at the site of endarterectomy has been investigated. In patients undergoing direct suture of the arteriotomy, platelet deposition measured as the Carotid Uptake Ratio was significantly reduced from 1.44 +/- 0.03 to 1.11 +/- 0.35 in those receiving aspirin and dipyridamole (P less than 0.002). Carotid Uptake Ratio was greater following patch angioplasty at 1.41 +/- 0.07 when compared to 1.14 +/- 0.07 with direct suture of the arteriotomy (P less than 0.002).
PubMed Abstracts
PubMed Abstracts