The effect of ibuprofen on microvascular thrombosis in an experimental rabbit model

The efficacy of ibuprofen in reducing microvascular thrombosis in a well-established experimental model was studied. Bilateral 2-mm arterial inversion grafts were constructed in the femoral arteries of New Zealand White rabbits. The experimental group (n = 40 grafts) received subcutaneous injections of ibuprofen 15 mg/kg t.i.d. beginning 1 day preoperatively and continued for 7 days postoperatively. The control group (n = 42 grafts) received injections of an equivalent volume of saline three times per day. Patency was evaluated at 7 days by the distal milking test. Seventy-three percent of the ibuprofen grafts were patent at 7 days, whereas 57% of the control grafts remained open. This difference in microvascular patency was not statistically significant. Representative scanning electron micrographs revealed a moderate reduction in aggregated platelets and overall clot density in the patent ibuprofen arterial inversion grafts compared with the patent control specimens. Although the use of ibuprofen as a sole antithrombotic agent cannot be recommended as the result of this study, it may be efficacious when used in conjunction with other agents such as dextran 40.