Studies of Platelet and Fibrinogen Kinetics in Patients with Prosthetic Heart Valves

Abstract

Kinetic studies of platelet and fibrinogen in 18 patients with artificial heart valves indicate that platelets are selectively consumed by interaction with the prosthetic valves in an amount directly related to the surface area of the valve. Dipyridamole effectively prevents the valve-related consumption. Although acetylsalicylic acid itself has little capacity to correct the consumption of platelets in this setting, it has a potentiating effect on dipyridamole.