EFFECTS OF NITROGLYCERIN ON PLATELET-AGGREGATION BEYOND THE EFFECTS OF ACETYLSALICYLIC-ACID IN HEALTHY-SUBJECTS

Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is widely used in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. In the Second International Study of Infarct Survival, the reduction in mortality by ASA alone was of the same magnitude as by streptokinase therapy. This beneficial effect was attributed to platelet antiaggregation.1 Intravenous nitroglycerin also reduces mortality in acute myocardial infarction. 2 This beneficial effect has been attributed to vasodilation, but nitroglycerin administered in clinically used doses may also reduce platelet aggregation.3 This study was designed to investigate the possibility that the antiaggregatory effects of ASA and nitroglycerin may be additive, because the platelet antiaggregatory effect of ASA, which is based on suppression of thromboxane synthesis,4 differs from that of nitroglycerin, which is based on increased synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate.5. © 1993.