Effect of naftidrofuryl and aspirin on platelet aggregation in peripheral vascular disease

Platelet aggregation in whole blood (WB) was assessed in healthy subjects and in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD) using a WB-free platelet counting (WB-FPC) method. Aggregation induced by stirring and platelet agonists was significantly enhanced in PVD patients. WB-FPC aggregation induced by 5-HT was diminished significantly by incubation with naftidrofuryl (NAF) in WB of PVD patients. In contrast, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid; ASA), added in vitro, did not significantly affect 5-HT or stirring-induced WB-PFC aggregation in PVD patients. Furthermore, 5-HT-induced WB-FPC was inhibited by NAF in blood collected from PVD patients that were taking low dose aspirin. These findings suggest that NAF may be of benefit to patients with hyperaggregable platelets and elevated plasma 5-HT concentrations, factors thought to predispose to thrombotic complications.