Although thrombolytic therapy has been a major advance in the treatment of acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (MI), new thrombolytic agents have been unable to improve early reperfusion. Because aspirin has been shown to be a very effective adjunctive agent in patients with acute MI, it has been hypothesized that the use of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors c...

Ischemic mechanisms in pa2000Mar;58(1)1-10 studied for more than 150 years. Antiplatelet agents did show benefit in secondary prevention. Aspirin is the most common antiaggregant in clinical use today. However, the benefit produced by the "best" antiplatelet regimen in stroke prevention is lower than 40%. The adherence of circulating platelets to the subendothelium is mediated by glycoprotein (...

During blood coagulation human polymorphonuclear leukocytes release elastase in amounts that can exceed 100 nmol/liter. We therefore studied the effect of elastase on platelet structure and function. Physiologic concentrations of elastase specifically inhibited thrombin-induced platelet aggregation and ristocetininduced agglutination of washed platelets in a timeand dosedependent manner. This w...

BACKGROUND Animal models have been instrumental in defining thrombus formation, including the role of platelet surface glycoprotein (GP) receptors, in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). However, the involvement of GP receptors in human ischemic stroke pathophysiology and their utility as biomarkers for ischemic stroke risk and severity requires elucidation. AIMS To determine whether platelet GPIb a...

Coronary artery stenting and platelet IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists confer complementary benefits on patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Glycoprotein (Gp) IIb/IIIa inhibitors make the procedure safer by reducing periprocedural complications such as myocardial infarction, while stenting reduces restenosis rates and the need for further revascularisation procedures. If G...

Concanavalin A (Con A) has been used to activate platelets, inducing a specific interaction between the glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex and the cytoskeleton of the activated platelet. In agreement with this, we have shown that Con A activates human platelets, initiating phosphorylation, secretion, and cytoskeletal formation. Con A and cytochalasin B were used to demonstrate a reciprocal interacti...

Platelet aggregation, at the site of an atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries has been recognized as a crucial step in the pathogenesis of unstable angina and myocardial infarction. As part of current medical therapy in patients with unstable angina, evolving myocardial infarction and in patients undergoing coronary intervention, platelet aggregation is inhibited partly by administrat...