Platelet activation and red blood cell changes in thrombotic and rheological disturbances among coronary heart disease patients

Abstract

Aim. To assess the role of platelet (PL) and red blood cell (RBC) function changes in RBC-PL aggregate (RPA) formation among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. Material and methods. The study included 22 CHD patients (mean age 57±7 years) and 14 healthy volunteers (mean age 48±3 years). PL and RBC aggregation, RBC resistance were assessed with laser aggregation analyzer BIOLA. Circulating RPA counting and their morphological assessment were performed by scanning electromicroscopy. Mean PL volume (MPLV) was assessed by thrombocrit measurement. Results. In CHD patients, spontaneous PL aggregation was higher than in controls (1,6±0,4 vs 1,1±0,3 U; p<0,05). MPLV in patients and controls was 11,8±1,4 and 8,6±1,3, respectively. For circulating RBC, 4,1±0,6% were included into RPA, with RB/PL ratio of 1:1-4. No RPA were observed in volunteers' blood. RBC aggregation was significantly higher in CHD participants than in controls (3,3±0,7 vs 1,4±0,2 U), and RBC resistance was lower, manifested in early hemolysis. Decreased RBC resistance resulted in ADP release and PL activation. Conclusion. In CHD patients, RPA formation was associated with PL activation and spontaneous aggregation. Increased PL and RBC aggregation, combined with RPA formation, resulted in rheological disturbances in CHD individuals.

Keywords

• platelet activation and aggregation
• red blood cell and platelet aggregates
• red blood cell aggregation and resistance
• mean platelet volume
• hemorheology
• coronary heart disease