Isotopic platelet survival time (PST), platelet count, adhesiveness, aggregation,
PF4 release and coagulation parameters were examined in 23 patients with prosthetic heart
valves (6 mitral, 10 aortic and 7 mitroaortic Starr Edwards or Bjork valves) treated
with or without suloctidil.
The patients were distributed in 2 comparative groups : the treated group with 11
patients with VKA (nicoumalone) and suloctidil (600 mg/day) and the control group
with 12 patients with VKA alone. The biological parameters were performed before (the
10th postop. day) and 6 weeks after treatment with or without suloctidil.
Before treatment were : PST shortened, platelet adhesiveness and aggregation normal
and PF4 release, factors I, VIII-C, VIII-R-Ag increased in both groups.
After treatment, PST returned to normal in the treated group, but remained unchanged
or was more decreased in the control group. Platelet adhesiveness and aggregation
were unchanged in both groups. PF4 release was reduced in the treated group and unchanged in the control group. Platelet
count, factors I, VIII-C, VIII-R-Ag returned to the preoperative values in both groups.
Two severe thromboembolic complications appeared in the control group, none in the
treated group.
