Circulating monocyte-platelet aggregates are an early marker of acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: We investigated whether elevated levels of circulating monocyte-platelet aggregates (MPA) can be used to identify patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Background: Commonly used blood markers of AMI reflect myocardial cell death, but do not reflect the earlier pathophysiologic processes of plaque rupture, platelet activation and resultant thrombus formation. Circulating MPA form after platelet activation.