Summary
Methods for measuring and comparing day to day differences in the response of platelet
aggregation in platelet-rich plasma to added ADP, 5-H.T., adrenaline and collagen
are reported. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP, 5-H.T. and adrenaline was studied
in patients with acute myocardial infarction and in others 3 months to 5 years after
an infarct; some were receiving anti-coagulants and others not: these three groups
were compared with three control groups. The mean platelet shape was rounder and the
response to ADP and to 5-H.T. and one parameter of the response to adrenaline was
significantly greater in all groups of patients with myocardial infarct taken together
than in the controls. The platelet-rich plasma from patients with recent infarction
were most responsive to ADP and 5-H.T. immediately after the infarct. Anti-coagulants
had no effect on these tests. However, there was wide variation within the individuals
and much overlap between groups, and these tests can only reliably distinguish between
groups and not between individuals. The significance of these findings is discussed.