A randomized comparison of trapidil (triazolopyrimidine), a platelet-derived growth factor antagonist, versus aspirin in prevention of angiographic restenosis after coronary artery Palmaz-Schatz stent implantation

The aim of the study is to assess the safety of trapidil in the setting of coronary stenting and to evaluate its efficacy in reducing angiographic in‐stent restenosis. One hundred eighteen patients undergoing Palmaz‐Schatz stent implantation were randomly assigned to receive antiplatelet therapy using either aspirin (325 mg/d) or trapidil (400 mg/d), in combination with ticlopidine (500 mg) for the first month. At entry, both groups were comparable with regard to clinical, angiographic, and procedural characteristics. At 6‐month angiographic follow‐up, >50% restenosis occurred in 15 of 52 lesions (28.8%) of the aspirin group and in 14 of 47 lesions (29.8%) of the trapidil group (P = not significant, NS). At 6‐month clinical follow‐up, there was no difference in the two groups in the rate of adverse events (2.0% vs. 2.1%, P = NS), medication side effects (4.0% vs. 4.2%, P = NS), and peripheral vascular complications (4.0% vs. 4.2%, P = NS). In conclusion, treatment with trapidil seems to be associated with a similar incidence of stent restenosis and adverse cardiac events as compared to aspirin and could be a valuable alternative to aspirin in the setting of coronary stenting.Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 46:162–168, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.