What Researchers Did
Researchers studied platelet function in 65 chronic coronary patients receiving hyperbaric oxygenation and antiaggregant therapy.
What They Found
Hyperbaric oxygenation (8 to 12 sessions at 1.3-1.6 absolute atmosphere) had no proaggregant or antiaggregant effects on platelets. Aspirin in a daily dose of 125 mg and pentoxifylline in a daily dose of 300 mg reliably decreased the percentage of platelet aggregation and increased disaggregation. Hyperbaric oxygenation did not change the antiaggregant activity of these drugs.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients with ischemic heart disease, this study suggests that hyperbaric oxygenation, when administered as described, does not interfere with the antiplatelet effects of aspirin or pentoxifylline. This could be relevant for patients receiving both therapies, indicating that the antiaggregant benefits of these medications are preserved.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
A limitation is that the study was conducted in 1997, and medical practices and antiaggregant therapies may have evolved since then.