ACETYLSALICYLIC-ACID AND DIPYRIDAMOLE IMPROVE THE EARLY PATENCY OF AORTA-CORONARY BYPASS GRAFTS - A DOUBLE-BLIND, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, RANDOMIZED TRIAL

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 90  (3) , 373-377
Abstract
A total of 125 patients undergoing aorta-coronary bypass grafting for disabling angina were randomized to receive either 330 mg of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) plus 75 mg of dipyridamole three times daily or a placebo for 6 months postoperatively. In addition, all patients were given warfarin for 3 months. Repeat angiography was performed at 6 months in 103 patients. In the treatment group 95 grafts were implanted in 48 patients, of which 87 were patent (91.6% patency rate). This figure compares with 88 grafts patent out of 118 implanted in 55 patients in the placebo group (74.6% patency rate) (p < 0.01). We conclude that antiplatelet therapy improves the early patency of saphenous vein aorta-coronary bypass grafts.