Summary
We investigated the dynamic accumulation of platelets and fibrin after balloon injury
of the carotid arteries in rabbits in vivo. In addition, effects of heparin and dipyridamole treatment were also tested. Autologous
99mTc-labelled platelet and 123I-labelled fibrin accumulation was measured at one minute intervals for 4 hours following
balloon injury of the carotid artery. Platelet accumulation occurred rapidly, with
a ~125% increase occurring within 30 min after injury. There was no further activity
for up to 4 hours. This accumulation could be inhibited with an intravenous infusion
of PGI2 (500 ng/kg/hr). Fibrin accumulation occurred slowly and continuously over the 4 hour
measurement period. Injection of an anti-fibrin antibody inhibited fibrin accumulation.
Heparin (25 U/kg/hr for 4 hrs) administration resulted in a significant 82 ± 19% and
68 ± 13% reduction in platelet and fibrin accumulation, respectively. This dose of
heparin was associated with a 2-fold prolongation of the aPTT. Dipyridamole (0.45
mg/kg/hr for 4 hrs) resulted in a 46 ± 12% and 70 ± 25% reduction of platelet and
fibrin accumulation, respectively. Thus, we demonstrated that the dynamics of platelet
and fibrin accumulation following balloon injury in rabbits are very different. The
vessel wall continues to be thrombogenic for fibrin up to 4 hours after injury even
though platelet accumulation has ceased after one hour. We conclude that the local
thrombotic events following balloon injury are complex and that not only platelets
but also fibrin is important in regulating responses to injury.
Keywords
Animal models - platelet pharmacology - fibrin - vascular injury - dipyridamole