Assessment of platelet activation indices using the ADVIATM 120 amongst 'high-risk' patients with hypertension.

Background: Platelet activation is involved in the pathogenesis of the thrombotic complications of hypertension. Novel surrogate markers of platelet activation (mean platelet volume (MPV), mean platelet component (MPC, measure of platelet density), platelet component distribution width (PCDW, a marker of platelet shape change) and the number of platelet clumps) have been related to cardiovascular risk. We hypothesized a stepwise increase in these platelet activation indices between healthy controls (HC, n = 60), 'high-risk' essential hypertensive subjects (HBP, n = 45) and treated, previously diagnosed patients with malignant phase hypertension (MHT, n = 45).

Relationship of homocysteine to markers of platelet and endothelial activation in "high risk" hypertensives: a substudy of the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial.

Objective: To examine the relationship between plasma homocysteine (HCY) and rheological, endothelial and platelet markers in "high risk" hypertensive patients.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 165 consecutive hypertensive patients (136 male; mean age 63 years (S.