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[Unstable stenocardia: indicators of platelet activity and the effect of verapamil]
Insights
Platelet activation markers, beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4), are elevated in unstable angina. Verapamil treatment reduced these markers in unstable angina patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Platelet activation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease.
- Assessing platelet function can differentiate between stable and unstable angina pectoris.
- Biomarkers like beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) reflect platelet activation.
Purpose:
- To investigate platelet activation markers (BTG and PF4) in patients with unstable and severe stable angina pectoris.
- To compare platelet functional state between different angina classifications and healthy subjects.
- To evaluate the effect of verapamil on platelet activity in unstable angina.
Summary:
- Radioimmunoassay determined BTG and PF4 levels in 17 unstable angina, 18 severe stable angina, and 6 healthy subjects.
- Unstable angina patients showed significantly higher BTG and PF4 levels, indicating increased platelet activation compared to stable angina.
- Platelet activation markers further increased during pain episodes in some unstable angina patients. Verapamil administration (IV and oral) decreased BTG and PF4 levels in unstable angina patients.
Impact:
- This study highlights increased platelet activation as a key feature distinguishing unstable from stable angina.
- Findings suggest potential therapeutic targets for managing unstable angina by modulating platelet activity.
- Verapamil demonstrates a potential role in mitigating platelet activation in unstable angina patients.
Abstract:
Beta-thromboglobin (BTG) and 4 platelet factor (4PF) blood concentration reflecting platelet functional state were determined by radioimmunoassay in 17 patients with unstable angina pectoris, in 18 patients with severe stable angina pectoris (IV functional class) and in 6 healthy subjects. Patients with unstable angina pectoris exhibited signs of platelet activation, i.e significant increase in blood BTG and 4PF concentration, which made qualitative difference from the patients with severe but stable form of the disease. The study of platelet activity at the peak of pain attack has demonstrated further increase in BTG and 4PF concentration in 6 patients having high initial characteristics. In 12 patients with unstable angina pectoris verapamil effect on the platelet functional activity was studied, they exhibited a decrease in BTG and 4PF concentration by intravenous injections as well as by long-term oral administration.