What is dipyridamole?

Blood thinner: Dipyridamole is another name for persantine. This is a medication that has blood-thinning properties by preventing platelets from clumping together, and hence is often given to people who have suffered certain types of strokes. However, it also has effects on the cells that make up the walls of coronary arteries, causing them to dilate, and hence can be used in pharmacologic stress testing.

Blood flow: Initially called persantine, it has been used in combination with Aspirin for improving blood flow after bypass surgery or for medical therapy. Largely replaced by plavix (clopidogrel). Combination drub now is aggrenox, which is Persantine and aspirin.