The Role of Adjuvant Vinpocetine Therapy in Aspirin-Treated Cerebrovascular Patients

BACKGROUND: The aim of our pilot study was to investigate the endothel dysfunction, hemorheological and agonist-induced platelet aggregation changes in aspirin-treated cerebrovascular patients after parenteral vinpocetine admission (VP). METHODS: Hemorheological parameters (hematocrit, plasma fibrinogen, whole blood viscosity, red blood cell aggregation and deformability), endothel dysfunction markers (von Willebrand factor, soluble P-selectin) and agonist-induced (collagen, epineprine, arachidonic acid and adenosine-diphosphate) platelet aggregation values were evaluated at baseline, 7th and 30th day. RESULTS: Parenteral vinpocetine infusion significantly decreased von Willebrand factor levels and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation values and they still remained significant after 30 days. Red blood cell deformability was significantly decreased after a month. No statistical differences among the other examined hemorheological parameters could be found. CONCLUSION: Vinpocetine, partially by its benefitial hemorheological and endothel-dysfunction improving profile may help to overcome aspirin resistance.