CIGARETTE-SMOKING INDUCED ENHANCEMENT OF PLATELET-FUNCTION - LACK OF PREVENTION BY ASPIRIN IN MEN WITH CORONARY-ARTERY DISEASE

Google Scholar
  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 105  (4) , 479-483
Abstract
Increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among cigarette smokers may be mediated in part by enhanced platelet function. Previous data showed that cigarette smoking-induced lowering of the platelet aggregate ratio of normal individuals was prevented by taking aspirin before smoking. The study was undertaken to determine whether similar results would occur in mean with coronary artery disease and whether platelet factor 4 would be released. A random-order, double-blind crossover study comparing the effects of placebo, 0.15 g aspirin, and 0.30 g aspirin was done in 30 male habitual smokers with coronary artery disease. Each man took a tablet containing placebo or aspirin and then abstained from smoking for 12 h before each of three 20-min periods of smoking 2 tobacco cigarettes. Immediately before and after smoking, the platelet aggregate ratio and the concentration of platelet factor 4 in platelet-poor plasma were determined from antecubital venous blood. Twelve hours after placebo, the geometric mean concentration of platelet factor 4 was 13.6 ng/ml before and 19.7 ng/ml after smoking (P = 0.0006). The mean platelet aggregate ratio was 0.77 and 0.72, respectively, (P < 0.00001). Neither dose of aspirin affected the presmoking value of or the smoking-induced change in either variable. Smoking evidently stimulated platelet aggregate formation and release of the contents of platelet .alpha.-granules, which were unaffected by preadministration of aspirin. This contrasts with the previous study of normal habitual smokers whose ingestion of 0.32 g aspirin prevented a smoking-induced decrease in the platelet aggregate ratio.