Aspirin and dipyridamole inhibit endothelial healing

Aspirin and dipyridamole have been used to treat the thromboembolic complications of atherosclerosis. We studied the effects of these drugs on the rate of endothelial healing after a standard de-endothelializing injury of the thoracic aorta. Twenty-five rabbits received 13.5 mg/kg/day of aspirin and 15 mg/kg/day of dipyridamole one week before injury and for the period of endothelial regrowth. There were 25 control animals. Mean serum aspirin salicylate levels were 12 micrograms/dL at the time of injury and 15 micrograms/dL at death. Areas of endothelial regrowth were measured by Evans blue dye at 1, 4, 7 and 14 days after injury. The percentage of endothelial regrowth was measured by computer-assisted morphometry. Antiplatelet treatment retarded endothelial regrowth by 66% at four days, 22% at seven days, and 28% at 14 days. Antiplatelet drugs must be used cautiously, as re-endothelialization of injured arteries is retarded.