Abstract
Changes of, β-thromboglobulin (β-TG) concentration in blood drawn from the proximal aorta (Ao) and coronary sinus (CS) during cardiac catheterizaiton were investigated in patients with ischemic heart diseases and the following observations noted: 1) Catheter manipulation did not significantly affect, β-TG concentration.. 2) β-TG level following exercise stress was higher in the left ventricular asynergy group (ASY) than in the group without ASY, suggesting enhanced platelet function in ASY. 3) In the group with non-provoked variant angina, β-TG level during rest did not differ from the normal control and remained at the same level following exercise and ergonovine provocation. 4) Different β-TG levels were observed in an ergonovine provoked anginal attack case (ERP) compared with a spontaneous attack case (SPN). In the ERP case, β-TG level was higher in CS than Ao during an anginal attack. Conversely, reversed results were obtained for SPN. In addition β-TG level remained higher both before and after an anginal attack in SPN. It was concludcd that an intimate relationship between platelet activation and ocronary artery vasospasm was proved by the direct methods.
