Low dose acetylsalicylic acid in the antithrombotic treatment of patients with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndromes (unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction)

Aspirin with or without statin in the treatment of endotheliitis, thrombosis, and ischemia in coronavirus disease

INTRODUCTION

In the genesis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), there is a process of endotheliitis associated with thrombotic changes, no studies have reported the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as a possible therapeutic approach. Statins could potentiate the ASA therapy.

METHODS

This is a series of 14 cases with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. All patients underwent the ASA therapy. Those who had risk factors for vascular disease also underwent the high-potency statin therapy. When symptoms were totally or practically resolved, patients were discharged and advised to continue medications for a complementary time, according to the clinical evolution of each patient.

RESULTS

The mean age of monitored patients was 48.6 years. A total of 78.6% patients presented with at least one comorbidity, which could have contributed as a risk factor for a poor prognosis in the evolution of COVID-19. Four patients had secondary bacterial infections; three patients needed hospitalization. None of the cases progress to stage III, and all patients had remission of symptoms, with 100% survival.

CONCLUSIONS

the process of endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19 involves disseminated thrombosis, initially microvascular and later expansion into larger vessels. ASA could act as a secondary prophylaxis and prevent thrombosis from developing and reaching stage III of the disease. As this was a case series, we cannot provide definitive conclusions; however, this study allows us to formulate hypotheses and support clinical trials to evaluate benefits of the ASA therapy in the treatment of COVID-19.

Gitadyl versus ibuprofen in patients with osteoarthritis: a double-blind, randomized, cross-over study of clinical efficacy and effects on platelets and PMNs

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was (a) to examine the effects of Gitadyl (a natural product) on platelet aggregation, chemotaxis and oxidative burst response from polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNs) and (b) to compare Gitadyl with ibuprofen regarding pain in patients suffering from osteoarthritis.

METHODS

A total of 8 healthy volunteers were employed to determine the effects of Gitadyl on platelet aggregation. Leucocyte function was tested in vitro. Another group of 35 patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis were employed in a double-blind crossover trial and treated with Gitadyl 3 tablets daily or ibuprofen 1200 mg daily (Ibumetin) in 2 courses of 3 weeks, respectively.

RESULTS

Gitadyl did not interfere with platelet aggregation, in contrast to that observed during aspirin or ibuprofen therapy. Gitadyl, however, inhibited leucocyte chemotaxis and oxidative burst response from PMNs. Gitadyl and ibuprofen resulted in the same reduction of subjective (pain) symptoms. Gastrointestinal symptoms occurred more frequently in those patients treated with ibuprofen.

CONCLUSION

It is suggested that Gitadyl can be a suitable alternative to NSAIDs for patients with pain from osteoarthritis who are prone to bleeding or who develop gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms from NSAIDs even at low dosage.