Platelet function studies in coronary heart disease. IX. Increased platelet prostaglandin generation and abnormal platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin and endoperoxide analog in angina pectoris.

Platelet prostaglandin generation (malondialdehyde production) and platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin (a vasodilator and platelet aggregation inhibitor) and to epoxymethanodienoic acid (EMA) (a vasoconstrictor and platelet aggregation stimulant endoperoxide analog) were studied in patients with angina pectoris and in control subjects. Platelet malondialdehyde production was higher in patients than in control subjects (mean +/- standard error of the mean 2.50 +/- 0.30 versus 1.70 +/- 0.13 nmol/10(9) platelets, p < 0.02). Platelets from patients were significantly less sensitive to prostacyclin's antiaggregatory effects than were those from control subjects (amount of prostacyclin required for 50 percent platelet aggregation inhibition 1.90 +/- 0.35 versus 0.68 +/- 0.05 ng, p < 0.02). Furthermore, less EMA was required to induce 50 percent platelet aggregation in patients with angina pectoris than in the normal subjects (133 +/- 8 versus 194 +/- 16 ng, p < 0.001). These observations suggest that increased platelet prostaglandin generation and abnormal platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin and endoperoxide analog in certain patients with coronary artery disease are important potential mechanisms in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia.