Anti-platelet drugs and outcome in severe infection: clinical impact and underlying mechanisms.

Platelet activation contributes to microvascular thrombosis and organ failure in systemic inflammation. We tested the hypothesis whether anti-platelet drugs might favourably affect outcome in patients at risk for organ failure as well as in a mouse model of endotoxin shock. Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients who were admitted for community acquired pneumonia over a time period of 5 years to a University Hospital were enrolled; about 20% of whom received anti-platelet drugs (acetylsalicylic acid, thienopyridines) for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.