Indices of platelet activation and the stability of coronary artery disease

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Published on: January 28, 2020

M D Linden1, M I Furman, A L Frelinger

  • 1Center for Platelet Function Studies, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.

Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis : JTH
|March 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Platelet activation indices, particularly the PFA-100 collagen-epinephrine closure time (CT), are linked to coronary artery disease (CAD) stability. This suggests potential plaque instability and ongoing thrombotic states in patients with CAD.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Hematology
  • Thrombosis Research

Background:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) involves complex pathophysiology including platelet activation.
  • Assessing platelet activation may offer insights into CAD stability and patient outcomes.
  • Aspirin therapy is common in CAD patients, but responsiveness can vary.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between platelet activation markers and the stability of coronary artery disease (CAD).
  • To evaluate if specific indices of platelet function correlate with different CAD severities.
  • To explore potential implications for understanding plaque instability and thrombotic risk.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of 677 aspirin-treated patients undergoing cardiac catheterization.
  • Platelet function assessed using Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA)-100 collagen-epinephrine closure time (CT).
  • Quantification of circulating monocyte-platelet and neutrophil-platelet aggregates, activated platelet GPIIb-IIIa, and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L).

Main Results:

  • Patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI) showed significantly higher markers of platelet activation compared to non-MI CAD and no CAD groups.
  • Shortened PFA-100 CT and increased monocyte-platelet aggregates were observed in non-MI CAD patients versus the no CAD group.
  • A significant correlation was found between decreasing PFA-100 CT and reduced CAD stability across subgroups.

Conclusions:

  • Indices of platelet activation, especially PFA-100 CT, are significantly associated with CAD stability.
  • These findings may indicate plaque instability, an active thrombotic state, or diminished aspirin efficacy.
  • Platelet activation markers could serve as valuable indicators in managing CAD patients.
Abstract

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