Influence of triflusal on platelet activation after coronary artery bypass graft

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of the antiplatelet agent triflusal on the changes in platelet function in patients who underwent a cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary arteries (CABG). In 20 surgical patients, blood was sampled before and at the conclusion of surgery, 48 h later (in the intensive care unit), and after 10 days of treatment with 600 mg/day triflusal (triflusal was administered from the first day after surgery). Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood, granular release of beta-thromboglobulin and platelet release of thromboxane B2 were measured. Basal values were compared with results in a group of ten healthy volunteers. All platelet determinations of activation were higher in coronary patients than in healthy volunteers. Immediately after CABG, the platelet reactivity to ADP and collagen were significantly lower, and release of beta-thromboglobulin and thromboxane B2 were higher, than in the pre-CABG samples. During the patient's stay in the intensive care unit, all values tend to return to pre-CABG values. Triflusal inhibits both platelet beta-thromboglobulin (63% with respect to the post-CABG value) and thromboxane B2 (91% with respect to the post-CABG value) release. Platelet aggregation after 10 days of triflusal treatment tended to return to the pre-CABG values. In conclusion, Triflusal reduces platelet activation caused by the coronary artery bypass graft surgery.