Platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa and size are increased in acute myocardial infarction.

Platelet aggregation, which plays an important role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), is mediated by fibrinogen binding to the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP)IIb-IIIa (CD41). This study measured the relative number of GPIIb-IIIa complexes on platelets from patients immediately following AMI (n = 14) compared with those from controls (n = 14). Flow cytometry was used to demonstrate that there were, on average, 20% more GPIIb-IIIa complexes on platelets after AMI compared with controls. Platelet size was also 7% greater in AMI and it is known that larger platelets are more reactive. Since platelet size and protein content are determined at thrombopoiesis the majority of these platelets must have been circulating prior to AMI. Larger platelets, with more GPIIb-IIIa may, therefore, be causally related to AMI.