Significant relationship between platelet activation and intra-media thickness of the carotid artery in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Abstract

Introduction We have studied the relationship between the ratio of activated platelets and the thickness of intima and media of the carotid artery in ischemic CVD patients in the chronic stage. Methods Platelet activation was assessed by means of flow cytometry of whole blood using activation-dependent monoclonal antibodies (MoAb). Forty-one MRI-proven normative subjects and 55 patients with a history of ischemic CVD were examined. The intima-media thickness of the carotid artery was measured by using B-mode ultrasound in all subjects. Results The appearance rates of PAC-1-positive and CD62P-positive platelets (%) were increased in ischemic CVD patients compared with those in controls ( p < 0.0001, p < 0.001, respectively) The patients and controls were divided into those with atherosclerosis (Ath+), defined as intima-media thickness 1.1 mm, and those without (Ath−). There was no significant difference of PAC-1-positive platelets between the Ath− and Ath+ subgroups in either group, but there was increase in Ath− ischemic CVD patients versus Ath− control subjects ( p < 0.01), and in Ath+ patients versus Ath+ controls ( p < 0.05). CD62-positive platelets in the Ath+ subgroup were significantly increased versus the Ath− subgroup in both the controls ( p < 0.001) and ischemic CVD patients ( p < 0.05), and there was also an increase in Ath− patients versus Ath− controls ( p < 0.05). Conclusion Platelet activation markers were increased in patients with ischemic CVD compared with controls. A significant relationship was found between increased CD62-P-positive platelets and carotid artery abnormalities in both controls and ischemic CVD patients, suggesting that platelet activation may be a potential marker for atherosclerosis.