Association of aortic stenosis with platelet hyperaggregability and impaired responsiveness to nitric oxide

Aortic stenosis, irrespective of the presence or absence of coronary artery disease, is associated with platelet hyperaggregability and hyporesponsiveness to antiaggregatory effects of the nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside. Treatment with the prophylactic antianginal agent perhexilene improves platelet responsiveness to nitric oxide.