Malondialdehyde-like material and beta-thromboglobulin plasma levels in patients suffering from transient ischemic attacks.

Beta-thromboglobulin (betaTG) and malondialdehyde-like material (MDA-LM) plasma levels were studied in patients affected by transient ischemic attacks (TIA) after 2-4 months from the last episode. BetaTG and MDA-LM values were significantly higher in TIA patients than in 20 controls matched for age. No correlation between MDA-LM and betaTG was seen. This study suggests that in vivo platelet activation and, likely, increase of platelet cyclo-oxygenase activity can be detectable in TIA patients.