Platelet behavior in patients with TIA: responsiveness to small doses of aspirin.
To study platelet role in cerebrovascular disease, beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) plasma levels, indices of in vivo platelet activation, were assayed in a group of patients affected by cerebral ischemic attack (transient ischemic attack; TIA). Determinations were carried out within 1 month from the ischemic event and following short-term (1 month) and long-term (1 year) daily administration of low doses (50 mg) of aspirin (ASA). After the cerebral ischemic event, beta-TG and PF4 plasma levels were elevated. beta-TG and PF4 plasma levels did not decrease after 1 month of treatment with ASA and significantly increased in all the patients after 1 year. Such a trend can perhaps be related to the natural course of the disease and associated with the possible occurrence of collagen-induced platelet activation in cerebrovascular patients. Data suggest that although platelet activation occurs in TIA-affected patients, the high levels of beta-TG and PF4 may not be adequate parameters for evaluation of TIA relapses and ASA efficacy.
D'Andrea
G
G
Toldo
M
M
Cananzi
A
A
Cortelazzo
S
S
Ferro-Milone
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001561:Benzilates; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin / Q000032:analysis
D001561:Benzilates; D001620:beta-Thromboglobulin; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D001241:Aspirin