Related Experiment Videos
Coagulant activities of platelets in coronary artery disease
Insights
Platelets show increased coagulant activity in patients with coronary artery disease, contributing to the intrinsic coagulation system. This platelet hyperactivity may play a role in the disease
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Platelets are recognized for their role in coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis.
- Previous studies have investigated platelet function and coagulation in CAD patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate platelet coagulant activities, volumes, and aggregate ratios in patients with and without coronary artery disease.
- To determine if enhanced platelet activity contributes to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease.
Main Methods:
- Examined 23 patients with chest pain, divided into two groups: normal coronary angiograms (Group I) and angiographically proven CAD (Group II).
- Assessed platelet coagulant activities, volumes, aggregate ratios, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and plasma levels of fibrinogen, coagulation factors V and VIII, and antithrombin III.
- Compared mean values between Group I and Group II.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in platelet volume or aggregate ratios between groups.
- Significantly increased platelet coagulant activities related to intrinsic coagulation initiation in Group II (CAD patients).
- Significantly lower plasma antithrombin III activity (but not antigen level) in Group II compared to Group I.
Conclusions:
- Platelets exhibit enhanced contribution to the intrinsic coagulation system in patients with coronary artery disease.
- Platelet coagulant hyperactivity in CAD patients may be a factor in disease pathogenesis or a consequence of arterial disease.
Abstract:
Platelets have been implicated in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease, and a number of studies have examined platelet function and coagulation parameters in such patients. We have examined platelet coagulant activities, volumes, and aggregate ratios in 23 patients with chest pain, seven of whom had normal coronary angiograms (group I) and 16 of whom had angiographically proven coronary artery disease (group II). There were no significant differences in the mean values for platelet volume or platelet aggregate ratios between the two groups. The platelet coagulant activities concerned with initiation and the early stages of intrinsic coagulation were significantly increased in patients in group II as compared with those in group I. No significant differences were noted between the two groups with respect to prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and plasma levels of fibrinogen and coagulation factors V and VIII. However, the mean activity in plasma of antithrombin III (but not the level of antithrombin III antigen) was significantly lower in patients of group II compared with group I. Overall, our observations provide evidence for an enhanced contribution of platelets to the intrinsic coagulation system in patients with coronary artery disease. The platelet coagulant hyperactivity noted in these patients may reflect a role of platelets in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease or may be secondary to the underlying arterial disease.