Dose-dependent aspirin hydrolysis and platelet aggregation in patients with atherosclerosis

In a double blind, randomized trial, the effects of aspirin (1, 5, and 15 mg/kg) were compared with the changes in platelet aggregation at 6 and 24 hours after dosage. It is found that there is a negative correlation between aspirin hydrolysis velocity in blood and capability of aspirin to decrease platelet aggregation with ADP and collagen in patients with atherosclerosis. Relationship between these parameters depends on aspirin dosage. The correlation was more marked for low doses of aspirin. It is suggested that the effect of aspirin in low dosage on platelet aggregation might be ineffective in many patients without control of aspirin hydrolysis velocity in blood.