Purpose: Skeletal muscle ischaemia reperfusion syndrome affects patients following lower limb revascularisation. Aspirin has the potential to attenuate these effects.
Methods: Using an established model of hind limb tourniquet ischaemia, the effects of oral and intravenous aspirin administration were observed after 6 h of ischaemia and 18 h reperfusion. Samples were obtained and analysed for muscle viability and oedema, and lung neutrophil infiltration.
Results: Aspirin, when compared to placebo and controls, significantly increased muscle interstitial oedema when given orally and intravenously. It had no effect on tissue viability or lung neutrophil infiltration.
Conclusion: Aspirin increases tissue oedema after ischaemia and reperfusion but has no effect on tissue viability. Although its mechanism of action has not been clarified, aspirin may influence the no-reflow component of ischaemia-reperfusion syndrome.