Are platelets the link between depression and ischemic heart disease?

The role of platelets as the link between ischemic heart disease and depres sion is reviewed. Platelet function abnormalities, including increased plat elet reactivity, may predispose depressed patients to clotting diatheses an d may explain their vulnerability to cardiovascular disease. Platelet physi ologic characteristics, influences on platelet response, and indicators of platelet reactivity are discussed. Measurements of platelet activation, sec retion, and aggregation have enabled the study of platelet responses in pat ients with major depression. The findings of clinical trials evaluating pla telet responses to antidepressant treatment are described, and recommendati ons for future studies are proposed.