The use of hirudoid gel in patients with coronary disease
Petelenz, T.; Bross, W.; Wybraniec-Patalong, A.; Korzeniowska, B.
Wiadomosci Lekarskie 38(9): 617-624
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0043-5147 PMID: 2412351 Document Number: 260563
In 32 male patients with coronary heart disease who applied hirudoid gel onto the skin during eight days the following parameters were determined three times i.e. on the 1st, 15th and 9th days: bleeding time, platelet count, clot retraction, amount of serum bound in the clot, fibrinogen level, kaolin-kephalin clotting time (PTT test), counts of erythrocytes and leucocytes and differential white blood cell count. Mean values of these parameters were calculated and were compared using the test for paired variables. A significant prolongation of the bleeding time, increased amount of serum bound in the clot, prolongation of kaolin-kephalin clotting time and decreased erythrocytes and leucocytes were found. In 17 cases the platelet count decreased but in 15 it increased. The obtained results point out that hirudoid gel applied onto the skin is absorbed through the skin reducing the number of morphotic elements of the blood, depressing platelet function, with impairment of blood clotting. It is concluded that hirudoid gel applied externally may be used in prevention of atherosclerosis which requires further studies.