Platelet activation in coronary artery disease

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Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation
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Comprehensive Analysis of Procoagulant Platelets Exhibiting Features of Necrosis, Apoptosis and Platelet Activation

Published on: May 23, 2025

M R Cahill1, A C Newland

  • 1Department of Haematology, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel, England, UK.

British Journal of Biomedical Science
|September 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

Platelets play a key role in coronary artery disease by forming arterial thrombi and contributing to atheroma development. An increased proportion of activated platelets circulate in patients with coronary artery disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Platelets are crucial components of arterial thrombi.
  • Platelet activation contributes to atheroma and smooth muscle hypertrophy.
  • Platelets circulate as inactive spheres, undergoing activation to become functional.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence for platelet activation in coronary artery disease.
  • To examine the role of platelets in the development of arterial thrombi and atheroma.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review article, examining existing evidence.
  • The review focuses on the functional changes of platelets.

Main Results:

  • Platelet activation is observed during acute coronary events.
  • An increased proportion of activated platelets circulate in patients with coronary artery disease.
  • Elevated activated platelet proportions are also seen in other thrombotic disease states.

Conclusions:

  • Platelets are increasingly recognized for their significant role in coronary artery disease.
  • Evidence suggests a higher prevalence of activated platelets in patients with coronary artery disease and thrombosis-related conditions.

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