Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer laser.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

Excimer laser is used clinically in arterial revascularization procedures. This study evaluated the efficacy of aspirin in reducing platelet aggregation during high-energy excimer lasing.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) from seven rabbits was circulated in a dual organ chamber with aspirin added to one and the other was control. PRP was irradiated using an excimer laser (308 nm; 45 mJ/mm(2); 25 Hz; 5 minutes) via a 2.0 mm laser catheter. Platelet aggregation (particle volume) was measured by laser-light scattering. Morphology was evaluated by phase contrast and electron microscopy.

RESULTS

Baseline platelet volume was 3.4 microm(3) for both control and aspirin groups. Following lasing, platelet volume peaked at 102.2 +/- 18.5 microm(3) for control compared to 43.1 +/- 49.2 microm(3) for aspirin-treated PRP (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Aspirin reduces large platelet aggregates but not small aggregates by 58% during lasing of PRP.