Effect of aspirin on angioplasty-induced vessel wall hyperemia

Angioplasty produces a persistent 20-fold increase in blood flow through mural vasa vasorum. To assess the role of prostaglandins in this phenomenon, vessel wall blood flow in experimentally dilated carotid arteries of aspirin treated dogs was measured. Aspirin (10 mg/kg, intravenously) significantly attenuated the increase in blood flow produced by dilation (+283 +/- 91% SE, n = 6) when compared to non-aspirin-treated controls (+2356 +/- 885% SE, n = 10). This suggests that aspirin, by interfering with arachidonate metabolism, may decrease local vasodilation after angioplasty. The effect of aspirin therapy on the long-term success of angioplasty requires further study.