Platelet hyperactivity in acute myocardial infarction in man--effects of prostacyclin.

There is increasing evidence that platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic heart disease. Therefore, an understanding of factors which impact on platelet performance is important. The present study was undertaken 1.

Systemic and transcardiac platelet activity in acute myocardial infarction in man: resistance to prostacyclin.

There is increasing evidence that platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute ischemic heart disease. Therefore an understanding of factors that influence platelet performance is important. This study was undertaken (1) to characterize during evolving myocardial infarction platelet activity in the peripheral circulation and across the ischemic/infarcting myocardial compartment, the locus of presumed platelet hyperactivity, and (2) to evaluate the effects of prostacyclin (PGI2), a most potent antiplatelet agent and vasodilator.

Pseudothrombocytopenia masking true thrombocytopenia.

Pseudothrombocytopenia owing to platelet clumping is usually associated with blood specimens anticoagulated with EDTA. It may also be seen if specimens possessing IgM cold agglutinins are processed at room temperature. A patient with a temperature-independent, EDTA-independent agglutinin is reported whose pseudothrombocytopenia was masking true thrombocytopenia.