Platelet aggregation and platelet-inhibiting drugs.

Platelet function may cause a progression of central gray matter damage after cerebrospinal hemorrhage or trauma because of the thrombotic occlusion of injured vessels or a vasospasm induced by extravasated blood. It has therefore been suggested that antiplatelet drugs could limit the extent of the neurological lesions produced by a spinal trauma. In view of this possibility, the hemostatic functions of platelets and the mechanism of action of antiplatelet drugs are briefly reviewed.