[Effect of ticlopidine and dipyridamole on platelet aggregation and count in patients with chronic stable angina pectoris]

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the ticlopidine and dipyridamole effects on platelets count and aggregation in patients with stable coronary artery disease.

Patients and methods: Eighty patients with stable coronary artery disease and mean of 58.3 +/- 5.8 years were studied. They were divided into two equal groups of 40 patients and each one treated with ticlopidine or dipyridamole. Platelets count and aggregation were examined before treatment and at first and fourth weeks of treatment.

Results: At the end of fourth week of treatment, spontaneous, induced by ADP or by adrenalin platelet aggregation inhibition was observed, respectively, in 82.5%, 72.5% e 67.5% of the patients in ticlopidine group. The spontaneous, induced by ADP or by adrenalin, platelet aggregation inhibition in the patients of dipyridamole group was, respectively, 40%, 30% e 27.5% (p less than 0.001). The platelets count did not change in both groups.

Conclusion: The ticlopidine effect is much more evident in platelet aggregation inhibition than dipyridamole, and maybe a choice in the prevention of cardiovascular events.