Effects of Long-Term Ticlopidine Treatment on Platelet Function and its Tolerability in Cerebrovascular Disease

A trial was performed on thirty-two patients with cerebrovascular disease (transient ischaemic attack and stroke) to assess the effect of ticlopidine, a new inhibitor of platelet aggregation, on some platelet functions and coagulation, and its safety in long-term use(6 months). The results show that tic/opidine was highly effective in inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation, platelet adhesiveness and circulating platelet aggregates, but it had no effect on fibrinogen levels. No serious side-effects were observed. Tic/opidine may therefore prove to be a useful antiplatelet drug in the managementofpatients with cerebrovascular disease.