PLATELET-FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CORONARY HEART-DISEASE ON LONG-TERM ANTICOAGULANT-THERAPY - EFFECT OF ANTICOAGULANT STOPPING

Plasma beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG), platelet procoagulant activity ( PPA) and malondialdehyde were evaluated in a control group and in 59 p atients with chronic coronary heart disease (CHD) undergoing long-term anticoagulant therapy (ACT) with acenocoumarol, and within 2 months a fter its termination. The patients were clinically stabilized after mo re than 1 year of an acute myocardial infarction. An increase in betaT G and PPA was found in the patients, both with or without ACT, when co mpared to the control group. In addition, PPA was found to be higher i n older and hypercholesterolemic patients on ACT. After ACT suppressio n, PPA activity increased significantly, particularly in younger and n ormocholesterolemic patients. The results of the present study suggest that CHD patients on ACT have some platelet hyperactivity and that th e termination of ACT induces an increase in platelet function, particu larly in PPA.