Effect of acetylsalicylic acid on pulmonary arteriosclerosis induced by a one-year Dirofilaria immitis infection.

The ability of aspirin to block arteriosclerosis that developed in response to chronic, low-level injury to pulmonary arteries was evaluated in 21 dogs during their 1-year infection with Dirofilaria immitis. Three groups, with seven dogs in each group, were studied before and after sustained injury produced by the transplantation of 28 adult Dirofilaria immitis into each dog. Group A received no treatment and served as controls; Group B received no treatment for 6 months and then received 7 mg/kg of aspirin daily) for 6 months; Group C received 7 mg/kg of aspirin daily for the entire year. The pulmonary arterial response was evaluated by hemodynamic and arteriographic studies at 6 and 12 months and by scanning electron microscopy at the end of the 12-month study. All groups developed a similar, mild pulmonary hypertension. The arteriographic changes of dilation and flow obstruction were worse in Groups A and B than in Group C at 6 months, and at 12 months both Groups B and C were less obstructed than Group A. Scanning electron microscopy revealed large, complex myointimal proliferations in Group A, whereas the two aspirin-treated groups had smaller, less complex lesions that covered a much smaller surface area. We concluded that: 1) aspirin markedly reduced the microscopic and macroscopic arteriosclerosis in Groups B and C; 2) aspirin in Group B not only arrested further development but also permitted resolution of arteriosclerosis while the arteries were still being injured.