Platelet hyperreactivity and prognosis in survivors of myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

Some aspects of disease of the coronary arteries (the vessels that deliver blood to the heart itself), including myocardial infarction (heart attack), appear to be associated with blood platelet function. These are the cells in the blood essential for clotting to occur, and research indicates that increased platelet aggregability (clumping) in the morning is correlated with increased frequency of myocardial infarction. The importance of spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) in patients after myocardial infarction for predicting subsequent cardiac problems was studied in 149 patients. Blood samples were taken every six months, beginning three months after the infarction, and evaluated for platelet function. Based on the amount of time required for aggregation, patients were classified as having positive, intermediate, or negative SPA. The subjects were followed for five years. When patients with positive or intermediate SPA were compared with those with negative SPA, the intermediate group showed a risk of dying of 1.6 times that of the negative group, and the positive group showed a relative risk of dying of 5.4. Cardiac events occurred in 33 patients, with relative risks for this of 1.6 for those with intermediate SPA and of 3.1 for those with positive SPA. Eighteen patients died, 15 of cardiac causes; and SPA positivity was the most important predictor of survival. Patients who were SPA-negative when the study began tended to remain so, and more than 50 percent of initially SPA-positive patients remained positive. Overall, the results indicate that platelet aggregability is associated with subsequent complications of atherosclerotic heart disease. SPA may be a useful prognostic tool for patients who have already suffered a myocardial infarction. Such results support the use of antiplatelet drugs for treating survivors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Care and treatment, Physiological aspects, Prognosis, Blood platelets, Cell aggregation, Infarction

---

Oral contraceptive and the risk of myocardial infarction

Article Abstract:

Women who use second-generation oral contraceptives have twice the risk of having a heart attack as women who do not use oral contraceptives, according to a study of 1,173 women. Women can lower this risk by using third-generation oral contraceptives.

---

Oral contraceptives and myocardial infarction -- the search for the smoking gun

Article Abstract:

Women who use oral contraceptives can lower their risk of heart attack by using third-generation oral contraceptives. However, smoking is a bigger risk factor for heart attack than any type of oral contraceptive.

Editorial

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Patients have a right to privacy and anonymity in medical publication. Perspectives on the Fifth Revision of the Declaration of Helsinki
• Abstracts: Immunization of adults. Ehrlichiosis - in pursuit of an emerging infection. The risk of vaccination -- the importance of "negative" studies
• Abstracts: Targeting AIDS prevention and treatment toward HIV-1-infected persons: the concept of early intervention. Establishing Health Care Performance Standards in an Era of Consumerism
• Abstracts: Are cell phones dangerous on the road? Other drivers main source of driver aggravation: poll. New York state bans auto cell phone use
• Abstracts: Acute bacterial meningitis in adults: a review of 493 episodes. Recognition and management of anthrax -- an update

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.