Sulfinpyrazone or Acetylsalicylic acid to Prevent Postoperative Thrombus Formation in Arteriovenous Fistulas of Haemodialysis Patients

Abstract

The effect of sulfinpyrazone (200 mg three times a day) and acetylsalicylic acid (500 mg three times a day) on the incidence of thrombosis of arteriovenous shunts was investigated in a controlled clinical trial. In 36 patients with chronic renal failure scheduled to begin haemodialysis the same operating team constructed a subcutaneous fistula in the distal forearm. During the first six weeks after the operation the antithrombotic efficacy proved to be good for both substances. No differences of thrombotic events between the two treatment groups were statistically significant. But in contrast to acetylsalicylic acid sulfinpyrazone made no significant inhibition of platelet - aggregation; sulfinpyrazone probably will prevent the clot formation by prolonging the shortened platelet survival in uraemic patients. In a high rate of patients given ace-tylsalicylic acid (10 out of 17) there were local bleeding and gastrointestinal side effects. In consequence we should prefer sulfinpyrazone, because in the sulfinpyrazone group side effects were minimal and in none patient withdrawal from the study was necessitated.