Hemorheology and platelet function in unstable angina

Abstract

Blood rheology and platelet function were studied serially in 23 patients with unstable angina compared to 70 healthy controls. Plasma fibrinogen, plasma protein concentration, hematocrit and erythrocyte filterability were not different from those of the control group. The hemorheological and platelet abnormalities observed on admission to those observed in the patients whose progress was good. There was no relation between the degree of hemorheological disturbances, and platelet dysfunction and the number of attacks of angina. Thesure results demonstrate the existence of a syndrome of blood hyperviscosity and platelet dysfunction in unstable angina. These disturbances did not seem to be related to the clinical outcome of patients or to the severity of angina