Platelet activation, biomarkers and troponin 1 release following major vascular surgery

• Main Author: Rajagopalan, Sriram
• Published: University of Aberdeen 2009
• Subjects: 617
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.509148

Platelets have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of atherosclerosis in patients with peripheral arterial disease. These patients have been shown to have increased platelet activation as assessed by flow cytometry. P-selectin expression and fibrinogen binding as well as increased platelet aggregation. Platelet activation is also believed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of arterial thrombosis and related acute myocardial infarction. Platelet activity is increased in patients with acute coronary syndromes and in those with ST-segment elevation MI. Biomarkers like C-reactive protein (CRP), Interluekin-6 (IL-6), N Terminal –pro-B type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro-BNP) have been shown to be risk assessment tools in non-cardiac vascular surgical patients. This research study was prospectively conducted to see if platelet activation markers, aggregation tests and biomarkers mentioned above had any relationship to post-operative myocardial ischaemic events detected by Troponin-I elevation with or without electrocardiogram/ Holter detected ischaemic changes. 136 patients due to undergo repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm or lower extremity revascularisation for severe limb ischaemia were recruited for the study.