The effect of acetylsalicylic acid dosed at bedtime on the anti-aggregation effect in patients with coronary heart disease and arterial hypertension: A randomized, controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is one of the basic drugs used in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease (CAD), and in most cases it is taken in the morning in one daily dose. It is suggested that the morning peak of platelet aggregation is responsible for the occurrence of myocardial infarctions and strokes. Hence, the aim of the study was to observe the effect of ASA (morning vs. evening) dosing on the anti-aggregative effect of platelets in patients with CAD and arterial hypertension (AH). METHODS: The study involved 175 patients with CAD and AH. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two study groups, taking ASA in the morning or in the evening. The patients had two visits, one baseline and another after 3 months from changing the time of ASA dosage. The platelet aggregation was determined using the VerifyNow analyzer. RESULTS: In the ASA evening group, a significant reduction in platelet aggregation was obtained. In the ASA morning group, a significant difference in response to ASA was observed, depending on sex. In men, the reactivity of platelets decreased, but in women it increased. CONCLUSIONS: In the group of patients with CAD and AH, bedtime ASA dosing is associated with a significant reduction in platelet aggregation. The response to ASA may differ between sexes. The benefit gained by changing the drug administration from the morning to the evening is greater in women.