[Thrombocyte aggregation and serum thromboxane B2 in patients with unstable angina pectoris treated with diltiazem or...

Patients with unstable angina pectoris have increased thrombocyte aggregation and disturbances in serum prostaglandin balance. As a pilot project, we conducted a single-blind investigation of 24 patients with unstable angina pectoris treated with dilthiazem (n = 12, 240-360 mg) or verapamil (n = 12, 240-360 mg) for ten days. At the commencement of the investigation, both patient groups had hyperaggregating thrombocytes and increased serum-thromboxan-B2 (TXB2) as compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.01). In the patient group treated with dilthiazem, the aggregation threshold rose (p < 0.01), and the serum TXB2 values fell to approximately normal (p < 0.05). In the patient group treated with verapamil, no significant changes were observed in the measurements registered. The difference between the two groups remained significant during the entire therapeutic period (p < 0.01). Thus, dilthiazem appears to counteract thrombocyte aggregation in patients with unstable angina pectoris.