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Abnormal platelet survival time in men with myocardial infarction and normal coronary arteriogram
Insights
Platelet survival time is shortened in men after myocardial infarction, even with normal coronary arteriograms. This suggests arterial thrombosis may cause infarction in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Hematology
- Thrombosis research
Background:
- Acute transmural myocardial infarction (MI) diagnosis typically involves coronary artery assessment.
- Normal coronary arteriograms in MI patients suggest non-atherosclerotic causes or alternative mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate platelet survival time in patients with acute transmural MI and normal coronary arteriograms.
- To compare platelet survival in these patients with normal individuals and those with obstructive coronary disease.
Main Methods:
- Platelet survival time was measured using chromium-51 labeling.
- Eight men with acute transmural MI and normal coronary arteriograms were studied.
- Comparisons were made with eight age-matched healthy men and 16 men with MI and coronary obstructive disease.
Main Results:
- Platelet survival was significantly shortened in all men with MI and normal coronary arteriograms (2.4 days) compared to controls (3.7 days).
- Shortened platelet survival was also observed in patients with MI and coronary obstructive disease (2.9 days).
- Three patients experienced recurrent venous thromboembolism, and one had iliofemoral arterial thromboembolism.
Conclusions:
- Platelet survival is reduced in patients experiencing acute transmural myocardial infarction, irrespective of coronary arteriogram findings.
- Shortened platelet survival in MI patients with normal coronary arteriograms indicates potential platelet activation and arterial thrombosis as a causative factor.
Abstract:
Platelet survival time was measured in eight men who had an acute transmural myocardial infarction and were subsequently found to have a normal coronary arteriogram. Platelet survival (chromium-51 labeling) was shortened in all men (2.4 +/- 0.11 days; average half-time +/- standard error of the mean) and different from that in eight age-matched normal men (3.7 +/- 0.08 days) (P less than 0.001). Three patients had recurrent venous thromboembolism and one had had iliofemoral arterial thromboembolism. Platelet survival was shortened (2.9 +/- 0.12 days) in 11 of 16 age-matched men with transmural infarction who had arteriographic evidence of coronary obstructive disease. These results suggest that platelet survival time is shortened in patients with infarction who subsequently are shown to have a normal coronary arteriogram and that arterial thrombosis may be responsible for the infarction.
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