Summary
Mean platelet volume was related to platelet count in patients with myocardial infarction
(n = 55) and patients with congestive heart failure (n = 9). 18 patients with acute
myocardial infarction were tested at admission and 4-7 days later, together with 13
patients with chronic stable angina and 10 patients with chest pain which was not
related to coronary artery disease. In citrated blood a relative reduced frequency
of large platelets (>13 fl) occured in patients with acute myocardial infarction at
admission but was not seen during recovery or in patients with chronic stable angina.
This suggests consumption of large platelets at time of thrombus formation. No relation
was found between plasma catecholamine levels and mean platelet volumes. Effects of
serotonine, adrenaline and CGP 28392, a calcium agonist, on platelet volume distributions
were determined. Sensitivity of platelets to adrenaline was increased in patients
with acute myocardial infarction on admission and reduced 4-7 days later, while in
patients with congestive heart failure reactivity to both serotonine and adrenaline
were reduced. This indicates a fast down-regulation during the early recovery phase
of myocardial infarction and chronically in congestive heart failure.
Keywords
Mean platelet volume - Platelet volume distribution - Coronary artery disease - Congestive
heart failure - Serotonine - Adrenaline - CGP 28392
