[Thrombocyte sensitivity to prostacyclin in myocardial infarct complicated by acute left ventricular failure]

A study of platelet aggregation and platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin in 82 patients with acute myocardial infarction demonstrated a relationship between clinical pattern of the disease and platelet hemostasis. Platelet functional activity was the highest by the end of week 2 in uncomplicated myocardial infarction. In cases where myocardial infarction was complicated by acute left-ventricular insufficiency, platelet function differed depending on the severity and outcome of the complication. Some patients with pulmonary edema showed protracted low-grade, yet irreversible, two-wave platelet aggregation. Platelet sensitivity was significantly lower in pulmonary edema, as compared to cardiac asthma, while the lowest sensitivity was associated with terminal pulmonary edema.