Background: By inhibiting prostaglandins, aspirin may be deleterious in congestive heart failure (CHF) and/or partially counteract the efficacy of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI). Conversely, clopidogrel has no effect on prostaglandin metabolism. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the effect of aspirin and clopidogrel on arterial functional properties in CHF patients treated with ACEI.
Methods: Forty-five patients with stable NYHA class II-IV CHF (64.0+/-15.5 years), ejection fraction <40%, were included in this prospective double-blind study and randomized to receive aspirin 325 mg/day or clopidogrel 75 mg/day for 14 days. Reflected wave assessed by radial applanation tonometry and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured at day 0 and day 14.
Results: Aspirin resulted in an increase in the augmentation index of the reflected wave (Delta=+3.5+/-5.2%, p=0.005) and the height above the shoulder of the reflected wave (Delta=+1.7+/-3.1 mm Hg, p=0.023), without statistically variation in PWV. Conversely, clopidogrel had no effect on the same parameters (p=0.512, p=0.677 and 0.801, respectively). Overall, variations in the augmentation index of reflected wave significantly differed when compared aspirin with clopidogrel (p=0.0261).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the existence of a negative effect of aspirin 325 mg/day when compared to clopidogrel 75 mg/day on arterial functional properties in CHF patients treated with ACEI.