Chronic exercise leads to antiaggregant, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in heart failure patients.

Background: Heart failure (HF) patients are at an increased risk of thrombotic events. Here, we investigated the effects of exercise training on platelet function and factors involved in its modulation in HF.

Design And Methods: Thirty HF patients were randomized to 6 months of supervised exercise training or to a control group that remained sedentary.

Platelet activation, oxidative stress and overexpression of inducible nitric oxide synthase in moderate heart failure.

1. Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a common disabling disorder associated with thromboembolic events, the genesis of which is not yet fully understood. Nitric oxide (NO), derived from the vascular endothelium and platelets, has an important role in the physiological regulation of blood flow.

Inhibitory effects of endogenous L-arginine analogues on nitric oxide synthesis in platelets: role in platelet hyperaggregability in hypertension.

1. An increase in plasma concentrations of endogenous L-arginine analogues, which are inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, may be involved in platelet activation and the increased risk of thrombosis in essential hypertension. Nitric oxide is synthesised in platelets from the amino acid L-arginine by inducible and constitutive isoforms of NO synthase (NOS), which leads to increased levels of cGMP.