Antithrombotic therapy may be effective to prevent the reocclusion in vascular surgery. In this report, we investigated the process of thrombus formation in prosthetic graft, by means of platelet imaging. The objective cases were 18 patients who underwent the reconstructive operation of prosthetic graft for aortoiliac vascular disease, such as abdominal aneurysm, Leriche's syndrome, arterio-sclerosis etc. Platelet scintigraphy was performed in 48 hours after the administration of 111In oxine labelled autoplatelet.
The results were as follows:
1. Platelet accumulation on the inner surface of prosthetic graft was serious in within 7 month after reconstruction, mild in 8 month to 12 month, and slight in beyond 1 year.
2. In patient who took the antiplatelet therapy since the replacement of velour knitted Dacron, platelet accumulation diminished under the administration of Ticlopidine (300mg/day).
The conclusions were as follows:
1. Platelet accumulation correlates with postoperative period more than the types of vascular lesion and prosthetic graft.
2. Platelet accumulation is influenced by the antiplatelet therapy.
3. We propose that the antithrombotic therapy must be continued for at least 1 year after reconstruction.