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Assembly of the platelet prothrombinase complex is linked to vesiculation of the platelet plasma membrane. Studies in Scott syndrome: an isolated defect in platelet procoagulant activity.

Activation of human platelets by complement proteins C5b-9 is accompanied by the release of small plasma membrane vesicles (microparticles) that are highly enriched in binding sites for coagulation factor Va and exhibit prothrombinase activity. We have now examined whether assembly of the prothrombinase enzyme complex (factors VaXa) is directly linked to the process of microparticle formation. Gel-filtered platelets were incubated without stirring with various agonists at 37 degrees C, and the functional expression of cell surface receptors on platelets and on shed microparticles was analyzed using specific monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence-gated flow cytometry. In addition to the C5b-9 proteins, thrombin, collagen, and the calcium ionophore A23187 were each found to induce formation of platelet microparticles that incorporated plasma membrane glycoproteins GP Ib, IIb, and IIIa. These microparticles were enriched in binding sites for factor Va, and their formation paralleled the expression of catalytic surface for the prothrombinase enzyme complex. Little or no microparticle release or prothrombinase activity were observed when platelets were stimulated with epinephrine and ADP, despite exposure of platelet fibrinogen receptors by these agonists. When platelets were exposed to thrombin plus collagen, the shed microparticles contained activated GP IIb-IIIa complexes that bound fibrinogen. By contrast, GP IIb-IIIa incorporated into C5b-9 induced microparticles did not express fibrinogen receptor function. Platelets from a patient with an isolated defect in inducible procoagulant activity (Scott syndrome) were found to be markedly impaired in their capacity to generate microparticles in response to all platelet activators, and this was accompanied by a comparable decrease in the number and function of inducible factor Va receptors. Taken together, these data indicate that the exposure of the platelet factor Va receptor is directly coupled to plasma membrane vesiculation and that this event can be dissociated from other activation-dependent platelet responses. Since a catalytic membrane surface is required for optimal thrombin generation, platelet microparticle formation may play a role in the normal hemostatic response to vascular injury.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Platelet-associated immunoglobulins G, A and M are secreted during platelet activation: normal levels but defective secretion in grey platelet syndrome.

Platelet-associated (PA) IgG is known to be released from normal human platelets when they are stimulated by aggregating agents. We have studied whether PA-IgA and PA-IgM are also secreted during platelet activation or during blood collection and processing and whether their levels are related to those in serum. Processing of platelets from normal donors in the presence of secretion inhibitors prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) and theophylline increased levels of both surface and total PA-immunoglobulins (Ig) in intact and lysed platelets respectively, with increases being significant for surface PA-IgA and PA-IgM and total PA-IgM. About 50% of total PA-IgM, 40% PA-IgA and 20% PA-IgG was detectable on intact platelets. All three PA-Ig and PA-albumin were secreted in response to thrombin and this release was inhibited by PGE1. The platelet:serum ratio of each Ig and albumin were similar. In grey platelets deficient in alpha-granules, PA-Ig and PA-albumin levels were raised per platelet but when increased platelet size was taken into account PA-Ig were normal and PA-albumin just below normal. Although thrombin caused release of most of the small amounts of beta-thromboglobulin present, PA-Ig and PA-albumin were not released. This suggests that PA-Ig and albumin from plasma may enter a pool of secretory proteins in normal platelets, but in grey platelets they remain in some other site.

Alprostadil

The relationship of human platelet density to platelet age: platelet population labeling by monoamine oxidase inhibition.

The relationship between platelet density and platelet age appears to vary between species with relatively few labeling studies in humans reported. In this study, irreversible monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors were used to biochemically label the circulating platelet population in 15 humans. Platelet samples were then isolated during the 15 days after drug ingestion. The platelets were separated by density on continuous linear Percoll gradients and the density distributions were divided into five fractions containing approximately equal numbers of platelets. Baseline MAO activity was strongly correlated with platelet density. Twenty-four hours after a single dose of tranylcypromine, platelet MAO activities in the density subpopulations were reduced to 14% to 17% of the baseline values. During the first five days after inhibition, the rates of recovery of MAO activity (percentage per day) were inversely proportional to platelet density. The recovery rates in the two most dense fractions were initially slow but increased after five days. Percentage recovery of MAO activity in the least dense fraction was significantly greater than the percentage recovery in the most dense fraction on days 2, 3, 5, and 8 (P less than .01, sign test). These results support the hypothesis that normal human platelets show a small increase in density with age, but they do not exclude the additional possibility that human platelet lifespan is positively correlated with platelet density.

Adult

Occurrence of platelet basic protein, a precursor of low affinity platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin, in human platelets and megakaryocytes.

beta-thromboglobulin antigen, a platelet-specific secreted protein, occurs in three forms: platelet basic protein, low affinity platelet factor 4, and beta-thromboglobulin. The combined level of beta-thromboglobulin antigen in megakaryocytes, measured by radioimmunoassay, was 13 +/- 7 micrograms/10(6) cells (SD, n = 6). The relative proportions of the three forms of beta-thromboglobulin antigen present within platelets and megakaryocytes were determined in cells lysed with trichloroacetic acid to minimize artifactual proteolysis. Samples were analyzed by isoelectric focusing in polyacrylamide gel with quantitative immunological detection on a nitrocellulose transfer of the gel. In platelets, the major species found was low affinity platelet factor 4 with precursor platelet basic protein as only 25% +/- 11% (SD, n = 16) of total beta-thromboglobulin antigen. In megakaryocytes partially purified both from normal bone marrow aspirates and from whole marrow specimens obtained after surgery, platelet basic protein was a higher proportion of beta-thromboglobulin antigen (49% +/- 13% SD, n = 11) than was the case in platelets. beta-thromboglobulin itself was never detected under the conditions of cell lysis used. Our results suggest that platelet basic protein is synthesized in megakaryocytes and that its cleavage is associated with an earlier stage of cell development than simply maturation to platelets. Further support for the precursor status of platelet basic protein was found in the expression of predominantly this antigenic form in a human erythroleukemia cell line.

Antigens, Human Platelet

Platelet retention in glass bead columns: adhesion to glass and subsequent platelet-platelet interactions.

In normal heparinized blood, the retention of platelets in glass bead columns was low in the first 1 or 2 ml, increasing to more than 80% by the 4th or 5th ml. Prior flushing of the columns with platelet-poor plasma or saline lowered retention in all 5 ml. Additional studies were carried out with a two-stage procedure in which a sample of blood (A) was pumped through a column, immediately flushed out with saline or plasma, and followed by a second blood sample (B). When as little as 1 ml of blood A preceded the flushing solution, retention was very high in all 5 ml of the subsequent blood B. This enhancement of retention in B occurred, providing blood A contained platelets (other than thrombasthenic), fibrinogen, and adequate divalent cations. Enhancement did not require von Willebrand factor (vWF) in A, nor was ADP necessary, since enhancement occurred even when heparinized blood as A contained prostaglendin E1 (PGE1) or creatine phosphokinase with creatine phosphate (CPK-CP). However, the presence of PGE1 or CPK-CP in the plasma used to flush the columns prevented the enhancement of retention in the first milliliter of B. Retention in the first milliliter of B (following normal blood as A and saline or normal plasma for flushing) was high when B was afibrinogenemic, moderately high when B contained PGE1 or CPK-CP, and low in thrombasthenic, EDTA, or vWF-deficient blood. Retention declined in subsequent milliliters of PGE1 or CPK-CP blood and remained low in thrombasthenic, vWF-deficient, or EDTA blood. Our findings suggest that (1) the platelets in A adhere to glass; this adhesion requires fibrinogen but not vWF or ADP; (2) the adherent platelets release ADP and become sticky; (3) adhesion of platelets in the first milliliter of B to the sticky platelets from A requires vWF and divalent cations but not ADP; (4) retention is maintained thereafter by repetitive platelet-platelet interactions involving ADP release, alteration of adherent platelets by released ADP, and adhesion of further platelets to these ADP-altered platelets which requires vWF.

Adenosine Diphosphate

A new congenital platelet abnormality characterized by spontaneous platelet aggregation, enhanced von Willebrand factor platelet interaction, and the presence of all von Willebrand factor multimers in plasma.

A case is reported of a 49-year-old woman with a mild bleeding tendency. Her bleeding time, platelet count and size, plasma ristocetin cofactor activity, von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen, and vWF multimeric pattern are all within normal limits. Spontaneous platelet aggregation is observed when citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is stirred in an aggregometer cuvette. This aggregation is completely is only slightly diminished by an antiglycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa or by an anti GPIb monoclonal antibody. The patient's PRP shows increased sensitivity to ristocetin. The distinct feature of this patient, also present in two family members studied, is that platelet aggregation is initiated by purified vWF in the absence of any other agonist. The vWF-induced platelet aggregation is abolished by anti-GPIb and anti-GPIIb/IIIa monoclonal antibodies and by EDTA (5 mmol/L). Apyrase inhibits the second wave of aggregation. Patient's platelets in PRP are four to six times more reactive to asialo vWF-induced platelet aggregation than normal platelets. The amount of radiolabeled vWF bound to platelets in the presence of either low concentration of ristocetin or asialo vWF was increased 30% compared with normal. The patient's platelet GPIb was analyzed by SDS page and immunoblotting and by binding studies with anti-GPIb monoclonal antibodies showed one band with slightly increased migration pattern and a normal number of GPIb molecules. Unlike the previously reported patients with pseudo or platelet-type von Willebrand disease, this patient has normal vWF parameters.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Platelet activation during preparation of platelet concentrates: a comparison of the platelet-rich plasma and the buffy coat methods.

The activation of platelets during the preparation of platelet concentrates (PCs) by two methods was compared. To eliminate interdonor differences, 2 units of whole blood were pooled and subsequently divided into two batches. From one batch, the platelets were harvested as pelleted platelets from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and from the other as nonpelleted platelets from the buffy coat (BC). The activation of platelets in these PCs was studied immediately after preparation and during storage for up to 9 days at 22 degrees C with gentle agitation. The binding of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) against the GP IIb/IIIa complex and against activation-dependent antigens (GMP 140 from the alpha granules and a 53-kDa glycoprotein from the lysosomal granules) was measured. Beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) release was also determined. Disc-to-sphere transformation was quantitated by measuring on an aggregometer the difference in light transmission during stirring at different rates and also by light microscopy. Immediately after preparation, platelets derived from PRP had a more spheric morphology (p less than 0.01), had a higher beta-TG release (p less than 0.01), bound more MoAbs against GP IIb/IIIa (p less than 0.01), and expressed more GMP 140 and 53-kDa glycoprotein (p less than 0.01) than did BC-derived platelets. However, these differences had disappeared after 2 days of storage. It was concluded that, immediately after preparation, PRP-derived platelets are more activated than BC-derived platelets. This is most likely a result of the pelleting that follows the second high-speed centrifugation of the PRP.

Antibodies

DDAVP-induced enhancement of platelet retention: its dependence on platelet-von Willebrand factor and the platelet receptor GP IIb/IIIa.

Although DDAVP has been shown to be haemostatically efficacious in patients with various congenital or acquired platelet disorders, no reasonable explanation has been found for this effect. We have previously shown DDAVP to increase platelet adhesiveness as measured with a platelet retention test. The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action responsible for the increased platelet retention in response to DDAVP. Patients with vWD type III and type Ia, severe haemophilia and severe thrombasthenia, as well as healthy controls, were included in the study. The effect of different concentrations of vWF in plasma and platelets was explored, as was the effect on platelet function of apyrase and monoclonal antibodies against GP IIb/IIIa and GP Ib. We found the effect of DDAVP on platelet retention to be unaffected by changes in the plasma concentration of vWF. The enhanced platelet retention after DDAVP is apparently dependent on the presence of platelet-vWF and on a normal function of the GP IIb/IIIa. The effect is not mediated via ADP or thrombin. The platelet-stimulating effect of DDAVP may be one explanation for the positive haemostatic effect in patients with certain platelet disorders.

Adolescent

Platelet antiheparin activity. The isolation and characterisation of platelet factor 4 released from thrombin-aggregated washed human platelets and its dissociation into subunits and the isolation of membrane-bound antiheparin activity.

Platelet factor 4 was isolated by gel filtration from the soluble release products of thrombin-aggregated washed human platelets as a proteoglycan-platelet factor 4 complex of molecular weight 358 000, Stokes radius (r-s) of 14.0 nm, sedimentation coefficient (s) of 7.1 S and frictional ratio (f/f-o) of 3.04. The complex was dissociated at high ionic strength (I equals 0.75) and the proteoglycan separated from platelet factor 4 by gel filtration. Platelet factor 4 had a molecular weight of 27 100, r-s of 2.52 nm, s of 2.4 S and f/f-o of 1.26, was insoluble under physiological conditions but readily soluble at pH 3. Under these conditions platelet factor 4 dissociated into four subunits with a molecular weight of 6900, r-s of 1.92 nm, s of 0.8 S, and f/f-o of 1.52. Qualitative N-terminal amino acid analysis showed the presence of glutamic acid or glutamine as the major end group. Platelet factor 4 was compared with protamine sulphate, which has similar biological properties, by electrophoresis at pH 2.2, in which both migrated as single bands but with differing mobility, and by amino acid analysis which showed a more normal distribution of residues than occurred in protamine sulphate. Of the basic amino acids platelet factor 4 (molecular weight 27 100) contained 5.97% arginine, 3.18% histidine, and 12.31% lysine compared to protamine sulphate with 64.2% arginine, 0.6% lysine and no histidine. A partial specific volume (v) of 0.747 was calculated for platelet factor 4 from its amino acid analysis. A membrane fraction with antiheparin activity, an isopycnic density of 1.090-1.110 and r-s of 15-35 nm, was also isolated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation from the ultrasonicated insoluble platelet residue remaining after thrombin-induced aggregation of washed human platelets. Trypsin treatment of the membrane fraction neither solubilised nor destroyed the activity.

Amino Acid Sequence

Defective platelet aggregation in response to platelet-activating factor in uremia associated with low platelet thromboxane A2 generation.

The bleeding tendency associated with uremia is likely due to a qualitative platelet dysfunction. So far the data available on platelet aggregation are conflicting. Since platelet-activating factor (PAF) plays a role in primary hemostasis, we studied platelet aggregation in response to PAF in 40 patients with chronic uremia on regular hemodialysis and 12 control subjects. Our results showed that in 28 of 40 uremics, platelet aggregation response to PAF was normal, whereas in the remaining 12 it was defective in that no second wave of aggregation was elicited even if the PAF concentrations were increased by a factor of 10,000. This abnormal response was peculiar to PAF and only partially related to factor(s) of plasma origin. The number of platelet PAF receptors and their affinity for the agonist were comparable in controls and "PAF-unresponsive" patients. The defective platelet aggregation in response to PAF was associated with a statistically significant reduction (P less than 0.01) in thromboxane A2 (TxA2) generation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) challenged with PAF (10 and 100 nmol/L). When PRPs from PAF-unresponsive patients were preincubated with a stable analogue of prostaglandin endoperoxides/TxA2 U-46619, an irreversible platelet aggregation in response to PAF was obtained. Thus in a subpopulation of uremics, platelet aggregation in response to PAF is selectively abnormal as a consequence of a reduced TxA2 generation.

Adult

Impairment of platelet thromboxane A2 generation and of the platelet release reaction in two patients with congenital deficiency of platelet cyclo-oxygenase.

Two cases of thrombocytopathia with congenital deficiency of platelet cyclo-oxygenase were investigated. The platelet release reaction was impaired. There was a marked decrease of aggregation with collagen and with adrenalin and a total absence of aggregation with sodium arachidonate. The platelet response to labile aggregation stimulating substance (LASS, mostly thromboxane A2) was normal. There was no biosynthesis of prostaglandin cyclic endoperoxides or of thromboxane A2 from arachidonic acid. Basal levels of platelet PGE1 were lowered although plasma levels were normal. Thrombin decreased the cyclic AMP content of patients' platelets and also that of control platelets pretreated with aspirin. The patients platelets showed no ultrastructural difference when compared with control platelets, except for a slight decrease of granule volume, but, in contrast to control platelets, thrombin (0.02 U/ml) did not provoke contraction of the patients' platelets.

Adult

Collagen-platelet interactions: evidence for a direct interaction of collagen with platelet GPIa/IIa and an indirect interaction with platelet GPIIb/IIIa mediated by adhesive proteins.

Using intact human platelets as the immunogen and a functional, collagen-coated bead agglutination assay, we have produced a murine monoclonal antibody (6F1) that blocks the interaction between platelets and collagen in the presence of Mg++. 6F1 affinity-purified the platelet glycoprotein Ia/IIa complex, and approximately 800 molecules of 6F1 bound per platelet at saturation. 6F1 nearly completely inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and inhibited platelet adhesion to collagen by greater than 95% when plasma proteins were absent. Antibody 10E5, which blocks the binding of adhesive glycoproteins to GPIIb/IIIa, produced only minor inhibition (approximately 25%) of adhesion under the same circumstances. In contrast, when tested in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), 6F1 had only a minor effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation, prolonging the lag phase but not the slope or maximum aggregation. Similarly, when collagen was precoated with plasma, 6F1 caused less inhibition of platelet adhesion (53%) than without the precoating (greater than 95%). Antibody 10E5 inhibited this adhesion by 32%, and the combination of 6F1 and 10E5 was more effective than either alone, inhibiting it by 90%. Time course studies of platelet agglutination of collagen-coated beads using PRP containing physiologic concentrations of divalent cations showed early inhibition by 6F1, indicating that the GPIa/IIa receptor operates in this environment. With more prolonged incubation, however, 6F1 was less effective; this later agglutination could be partially prevented by adding 10E5 or PGE1 to the 6F1. These data support a model wherein collagen can directly interact with GPIa/IIa and can indirectly interact with GPIIb/IIIa via intermediary adhesive proteins. The physiological significance of these interactions, and potential interactions with other receptors, remains to be established.

Antibodies, Monoclonal

Leukocyte removal filtration of platelet concentrates. A study of platelet loss using 111In-labelled platelets and dynamic gamma camera scintigraphy.

111In labelled platelets and gamma camera scintigraphy were used for the study of the platelet loss during leukocyte removal filtration of stored platelets. Two different filters were examined, Imugard IG500 and Pall PL100, and platelet pools containing varying number of platelet concentrates were filtered. It was found that a sizeable amount of the platelets was trapped within the filter. Some of the trapped platelets could be recovered by rinsing the filters with normal saline. The most appropriate rinsing volume to recover lost platelets seemed to match with the "dead space" volume within the filter. It is concluded that radiolabelled platelets and gamma camera scintigraphy appears to be an excellent method to investigate the dynamic events of platelet loss during leukocyte removal filtration. This technique should be well applicable for the study of technological advances in filter construction.

Blood Platelets

Detection of platelet isoantibodies by (3H)serotonin platelet release and its clinical application to the problem of platelet matching.

The detection of platelet isoantibodies by the release of (3H)serotonin from platelets has been evaluated. The conditions for optimal release of (3H)serotonin with platelet isoantibodies using a microtechnique have been defined. A group of cardiac surgery patients were followed pre- and post-transfusions, with 48percent developing a positive serotonin release assay. Of these patients, 16percent also had a platelet complement-fixing and/or lymphocytotoxic isoantibody. There was variation in the degree of correlation between (3H)serotonin release and lymphocytotoxicity using individual National Institutes of Health typing serum. The matching obtained between family members by both techniques showed a close correlation when each technique was evaluated separately using the same NIH typing serum. The detection of iso-antibodies in patients with hematological malignancies correlated with the unresponsiveness to unmatched platelet transfusions in 15 out of 17 cases. The use of the patient's isoantibody to matched platelets of family members by (3H)serotonin release correlated well with the clinical response to transfusion with these platelets. The data suggest that (a) platelet isoantibodies can be detected with increased frequency by (3H)serotonin release; (b) (3H)serotonin release is a specific reaction depending on the surface antigen of the platelet; and (c) the method can be used to match compatible family members for platelet transfusions.

Blood Donors

The relationship of insulin antibodies, platelet-fixing immune complexes and platelet-associated IgG to in vitro platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 synthesis in childhood type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.

The relationship of insulin antibodies, platelet-fixing soluble immune complexes and platelet associated IgG to in vitro platelet aggregation and thromboxane B2 synthesis was studied in a group of children with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Insulin antibodies, through the formation of insulin anti-insulin platelet-fixing immune complexes, seem to increase the levels of platelet associated IgG and both insulin immunity and increased platelet associated IgG are associated with the highest degree of platelet aggregation and thromboxane synthesis. These data suggest a possible role of immune factors in the platelet disfunction of diabetic subjects. Both platelet abnormalities and immune factors have been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of the late diabetic complications. In this paper data concerning a possible interaction between these two factors are presented.

Adenosine Diphosphate

In-vitro platelet sensitivity to collagen-induced aggregation and in-vitro platelet deterioration rate during storage, are both inversely proportional to the in-vivo blood platelet concentration in normal individuals: preliminary documentation of these theoretically predictable relationships.

This preliminary study documents two new functional relationships for platelets obtained from normal subjects, whose individual blood platelet concentrations (IBPCs) are in the normal range. Firstly, platelets from subjects (or donors) with high-normal IBPCs are the least sensitive to collagen-induced aggregation (a significant inverse correlation). This may be of importance in determining the likely efficacy of fresh platelet transfusions obtained from donors with different IBPCs within the normal range. Secondly, platelets from subjects/donors with high-normal IBPCs deteriorate less rapidly during storage (a significant inverse correlation), perhaps due to differences in platelet biochemical activity between individuals. Such measurements of platelet deterioration rate were based upon the development of a new experimental technique, in which sterile test-PRP was incubated at 37 degrees C with continuous (quarter-hourly) indirect measurements of changes in platelet morphology. This tube-based method is described in detail. The functional relationships observed do have a theoretical basis within the work of others, which is appopriately outlined. Particular discussion pivots around the possibility of using the deterioration rate relationship to predict how therapeutic platelet concentrates prepared from a given donor of know IBPC, may retain their morphological integrity during routine blood bank storage.

Adolescent

[Efficacy of leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates for prevention of HLA-alloimmunization in patients with frequent platelet transfusions: a prospective multi-institutional study using a polyester platelet filter].

A prospective multi-institutional study was conducted to assess the efficacy of leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates, prepared by a method using a newly developed polyester filter, in the prevention of HLA-alloimmunization in patients with hematological disorders. Patients who were expected frequent platelet transfusions, were assigned into two groups, receiving either standard platelet concentrates (control group) or leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates prepared through a polyester platelet filter, Sepacell-PL (filtered group). All patients received leukocyte-depleted red cell products. Of III patients enrolled, 72 were evaluable, 23 in the control and 49 in the filtered group. Both groups were comparable according to age, sex ratio, underlying disorders, previous exposure to alloantigens by transfusion and/or pregnancy. There was no statistically significant difference in the number and duration of transfusion in the two groups. There were significant differences in HLA-alloimmunization rate (9 cases out of 23, 39% in the control group versus 4 cases out of 49, 8% in the filtered group; p less than 0.01) and refractoriness to platelet transfusion from random donors (6 cases out of 23, 26% in the control group versus 2 cases out of 49, 4% in the filtered group; p less than 0.05). These results indicated that leukocyte-depleted platelet concentrates prepared through the polyester platelet filter are beneficial to reduce HLA-alloimmunization in patients with frequent platelet transfusions.

Adolescent

Circulating aggregated platelets, number of platelets per aggregate, and platelet size during acute myocardial infarction.

Circulating aggregated platelets (total, reversibly and irreversibly aggregated), the number of platelets per aggregate and "big" platelets were measured by a modification of the Wu and Hoak method in 42 patients on the first, second and fifth day of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Among them, 30 had an uncomplicated course and 12 patients had complications that occurred between the 5th and 10th day of hospitalization (7 patients had reinfarction and 5 died). In all patients the measured parameters were elevated compared with those of control subjects. There was a significant increase, especially after the first observation day, in the values of total aggregated platelets (37 +/- 11% vs 26 +/- 12%, p < 0.001), reversibly aggregated platelets (27 +/- 9% vs 17 +/- 8%, p < 0.001) and the average platelets per aggregate (8.6 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.3 +/- 0.4) in patients with versus without complications. In considering the role of platelets in the development of AMI, these findings may add information to the role of platelets in determining the course of AMI.

Blood Platelets