A study on the role of platelet function in patients with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism.

UNLABELLED There has been no study on the platelet function in the patient with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism (CPTE). We speculate that the platelet function may be elevated in the patients. PURPOSE 1. The platelet functions were compared among CPTE before surgery, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and normal adult people. 2. The severity of CPTE in clinical grading to the platelet functions were compared. 3. The platelet function were compared before and after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. METHODS Pre-opetative CPTE group (n=16), post-operative CPTE group (n=11), DVT group (n=9) and control group (normal adult people: n=33) were investigated on the platelet functions defined as platelet adhesion (AD) and platelet aggregation (AG) test in this study. RESULTS 1. No activation of platelet functions was observed in pre-operative CPTE patients. 2. There was no apparent relationship between the severity of disease and platelet functions. 3. Significant elevation of AG was obtained in the patients who received pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. CONCLUSION In consideration to the finding in postoperative study, the administration of anti-platelet drug will help to prevent re-thrombosis of the pulmonary arteries after surgery.