title: Intravascular blood sampling using the export catheter does not induce artifactual platelet activation.
abstract: We sought to investigate the feasibility of using the Export catheter to sample blood from the coronary arteries for studies of platelet activation. A pilot comparison between the Export catheter and the established Simmons catheter--currently used to sample blood from the coronary sinus--was performed. Triplicate blood samples were obtained from the descending aorta for each catheter in 10 patients, and analyzed for platelet P-selectin expression, PAC-1 expression, and platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation by flow cytometry. We found no significant increase in levels of platelet activation above that of reference values and no significant differences between the two catheters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
authors.forename: Andy S C
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Gabrielle J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Pennings
authors.forename: Tommy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brieger
authors.forename: Harry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Leonard
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kritharides