Summary
Platelet activation plays a central role in acute arterial stenosis as has been shown
in coronary heart disease. Likewise it can be assumed to be of importance in the evolution
of acute cerebral ischemia (ACI), particularly in patients with large vessel disease.
Flow cytometric detection of platelet adhesion molecules as a marker of platelet activation
in a group of patients with ACI and different etiologies has not been evaluated. In
72 patients with ACI and 72 controls, the exposure of activation-dependent adhesion
molecules was determined using flow cytometry after immunostaining with monoclonal
antibodies against CD 62, CD 63 and thrombospondin. The extent of platelet activation
differed as a function of the etiology of ACI: platelets from patients with atherosclerosis
of brain-supplying arteries expressed significantly more activation markers than did
controls, whereas patients with cardioembolic stroke did not. By analyzing platelet
adhesion molecules it is possible to describe platelet activation profiles in patients
with acute cerebral ischemia. This diagnostic procedure will be useful for monitoring
individualized anti-platelet therapy and may enable distinguishing different subgroups
of stroke patients.