The beneficial effects of oral ibuprofen on coronary artery thrombosis and myocardial ischemia in the conscious dog.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, ibuprofen, was evaluated for its in vivo antithrombotic effects in conscious canines by inducing left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery thrombosis with low amperage stimulation (50 microA for 24 hr) of the intimal surface of the vessel. Oral administration of ibuprofen (75 or 175 mg/kg in divided doses) prevented occlusive LCX thrombosis. Compared to controls, oral ibuprofen treatment resulted in a significant reduction in developed LCX thrombus mass (20 +/0 2 mg vs. 10 +/- 0.3 mg wet weight, P < .005) and left ventricular infarct mass (24 +/- 4% vs. 1 +/- 0.5%, P < .005). Scanning electron microscopy of the luminal surface of the LCX revealed minimal platelet adherence on the damaged intima in ibuprofen-treated animals. In a separate series of experiments, intervention with oral ibuprofen (12.5 mg/kg every 4 hr) reduced the extent of myocardial ischemic injury resulting from 60 min of complete LCX occlusion followed by reperfusion, whether assessed on the basis of the total left ventricular mass (18 +/- 2% vs. 9 +/- 3%, P < .02) or the area at risk (50 +/- 7% vs. 20 +/- 3%, P < .02). These results suggest that ibuprofen possesses significant antithrombotic and myocardial protective properties which may be valuable in the prevention of coronary artery thrombosis and ischemic heart disease.