Platelet-Function Analyzer Predicts Heart Damage

A study has shown that a platelet-function analyzer may predict myocardial damage and also aid in risk stratification of heart-attack patients. The finding was reported in the September 14, 2004, issue of Circulation.

The study indicated that patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) show significantly enhanced platelet function when their platelets are subjected to shear conditions similar to those found in a stenosed coronary artery by a platelet-function analyzer. Platelet activation is a hallmark of acute coronary syndromes, and this evidence suggests a link between platelet hyperfunction and myocardial damage in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Platelet function results at presentation were found to be independent predictors of the severity of heart damage as measured by creatine-kinase myoglobin (CK-MB) or troponin.

The analyzer used in the study was the PFA-100 platelet-function analyzer of Dade Behring (Deerfield, IL, USA). "This potential role for PFA-100 means this product could join Dade Behring's wide portfolio of cardiac assay and instrument systems as a diagnostic tool for myocardial infarction,” said Mark Wolsey-Paige, senior vice president, strategy and technology, at Dade Behring.




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