Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 30, 2026

An Alternative to the Traditional Cold Pressor Test: The Cold Pressor Arm Wrap
09:16

An Alternative to the Traditional Cold Pressor Test: The Cold Pressor Arm Wrap

Published on: January 16, 2014

Platelet release of beta-thromboglobulin within the coronary circulation during cold pressor stress

D Fitchett, E Toth, N Gilmore

    The American Journal of Cardiology
    |October 1, 1983
    PubMed

    Insights

    Cold stress increases platelet activation and beta-thromboglobulin release in coronary blood, potentially contributing to acute coronary events in patients with and without coronary artery disease.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiology
    • Hematology
    • Physiology

    Background:

    • Cold stress can increase circulating catecholamines, potentially sensitizing platelets.
    • Platelet activation and aggregation are implicated in acute coronary syndromes.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the effect of cold stress on beta-thromboglobulin release in coronary venous blood.
    • To compare these effects in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and those with normal coronary arteries (NCA).

    Main Methods:

    • Measured beta-thromboglobulin levels in arterial and coronary venous blood before and during cold pressor stress.
    • Assessed platelet counts and systolic arterial pressure.
    • Correlated beta-thromboglobulin release with systolic pressure and platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation.

    Main Results:

    • Cold stress increased systolic arterial pressure more in CAD patients than NCA subjects.
    • Arterial beta-thromboglobulin was higher in CAD patients at rest.
    • Coronary venous beta-thromboglobulin increased significantly during cold stress in both NCA and CAD groups, despite no change in arterial levels.
    • Beta-thromboglobulin release correlated with systolic pressure and inversely with platelet cyclic adenosine monophosphate generation.

    Conclusions:

    • Cold stress provokes the release of platelet constituents into the coronary circulation.
    • This release may contribute to stress-induced acute coronary occlusion in patients with and without angiographically apparent atherosclerotic disease.

    More Related Videos

    Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty10:03

    Coronary Progenitor Cells and Soluble Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Prognosis after Coronary Angioplasty

    Published on: January 28, 2020

    Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function06:47

    Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function

    Published on: November 8, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Introduction to Hemostasis01:05

    Introduction to Hemostasis

    Hemostasis is a complex physiological process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. It's crucial for maintaining the integrity of the circulatory system, as it ensures that our blood remains fluid while still within the vascular network and yet clots to prevent blood loss upon vessel injury.
    The three phases of hemostasis involve many clotting factors present in plasma and several substances released by platelets and injured tissue cells. It is a fast, localized, and...
    Vascular Spasm01:16

    Vascular Spasm

    The vascular phase, also known as vasospasm, is the initial stage of hemostasis, crucial for preventing excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. After a vessel is cut, nerves in the damaged area trigger pain and other sensory impulses. Simultaneously, the smooth muscles in the vessel wall contract, resulting in a vascular spasm. This contraction reduces the vessel's diameter at the injury site, slowing or stopping blood loss through the vessel wall. Vascular spasms typically last for...
    Formation of the Platelet Plug01:22

    Formation of the Platelet Plug

    The platelet phase, the second stage of hemostasis, commences around 15-20 seconds after an injury. It follows and overlaps with the vascular phase, during which blood vessels constrict to minimize blood loss.
    As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
    Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

    Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

    After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
    Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers01:19

    Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System II: CRP, Hcy, and Cardiac Natriuretic Peptide Markers

    Cardiac biomarkers are critical in diagnosing, prognosing, and managing cardiovascular diseases. Routine measurement of specific biomarkers such as B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) is common practice in clinical settings to evaluate heart function and predict cardiovascular events.
    These markers indicate stress or strain on the heart muscle:
    Natriuretic Peptides (BNP)
    Cardiac myocytes produce these hormones in response to ventricular stretching...
    Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology01:26

    Coronary Artery Disease II: Pathophysiology

    Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) originates from a series of events that impair the function of coronary arteries, the blood vessels responsible for delivering oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. The pathophysiology of CAD is closely linked to atherosclerosis, a chronic inflammatory and lipid-driven condition affecting the vascular endothelium.1. Endothelial DamageThe process begins with damage to the vascular endothelium, which serves as a protective barrier between the blood and the vessel...