Effects of in vivo cocaine administration on human platelet aggregation

In summary, by using a turbidimetric method there is no evidence of a direct proaggregatory effect of cocaine or its metabolites on platelet function in healthy volunteers without prior exposure to this drug, and it may even have antiaggregatory effects in this group. Both thrombotic and hemorrhagic events have been associated with cocaine, and its influence on thrombosis and thrombolysis is likely to be complex and multifaceted. Whereas cocaine use may promote hemorrhagic events in some persons, certain persons or subgroups of patients may be prone to develop thrombotic complications. Further research, using techniques other than the turbidimetric method, will be necessary to confirm our results and to define such possible subgroups in whom cocaine use may influence aggregation and thrombosis in a different way than that observed in our study with healthy volunteers.