title: Platelet factor 4 activity and thromboembolic episodes.
abstract: Platelet factor 4 activity was evaluated in 323 patients who had various diseases. High incidences (30% or more) of elevated levels of platelet factor 4 were found in patients with recent myocardial infarctions, recent episodes of thromboembolism, hepatic diseases, and low platelet counts. Three of the four patients who had prosthetic heart valves had markedly elevated platelet factor 4 activities. It appears that elevation of platelet factor 4 activity is associated with a high platelet turnover such as is seen in intravascular coagulation or thromboembolism. Determination of platelet factor 4 activity may be a valuable laboratory tool for the diagnosis of thromboembolism.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000097:blood; D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000097:blood; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D012737:Sex Factors; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000097:blood*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D001779:Blood Coagulation Factors; D010978:Platelet Factor 4