Platelet and endothelial response with trapidil in patients with peripheral obliterative arteriopathy

: The activity of trapidil, an antiaggregating agent with PDGF antagonist properties, was investigated in order to verify its possible modulating effect in the endothelial and platelet activation. PDGF, t-PA, PAI-1 and ET-1 plasma levels were measured before and after a 2 month treatment period with trapidil 200 mg tablets bid or placebo in 30 patients affected by POA in Fontaine stage II. PDGF and PAI-1 significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the placebo group, and PDGF also in the comparison between treatments (p < 0.05). Aggregation data demonstrate an absence of Ca++ antagonist action of trapidil. The results of this study suggest that trapidil can interfere with the combined vascular and platelet response in atherogenesis.