Sarpogrelate Reduces Mechanical Hemolysis in Patients With Heart Valve Prostheses

Objective: We evaluate the clinical efficacy of sarpogrelate, an antiplatelet drug that improves red blood cell deformability, to reduce the intravascular hemolysis problems suffered frequently by patients implanted with heart valve prostheses.Subjects: Subjects were 34 patients undergoing mechanical heart valve replacement and having serum lactate dehydrogenase concentrations 20% above the maximum normal range. Method: Sarpogrelate was given daily, 100 mg orally for the first 6 months and 200 mg thereafter.Results: Average serum lactate dehydrogenase decreased significantly from 423±108 IU/l, to 391±83 IU/l with the 100 mg dose, and to 361±86 IU/l with the 200 mg dose. The percentage of reticulocytes decreased from 15.5±5.3‰ to 15.3±5.7‰ at the 100 mg dose and 13.1±4.0‰ at the 200 mg dose. Serum iron concentrations increased significantly from 63.2±24.8 μg/dl to 76.2±16.2 μg/dl at the 100 mg dose, and to 70.9±26.2 μg/dl with the 200 mg dose.Conclusion: Sarpogrelate is a useful drug for patients with implanted heart valve prostheses and subsequent high serum lactate dehydrogenase because it works as an antiplatelet drug and reduces mechanical hemolysis.