Increased platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 receptors in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Platelets have been implicated in the formation of occlusive intracoronary thrombi leading to unstable angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. Evidence of platelet involvement in these syndromes includes increased thromboxane A2 synthesis during ischemic events and enhanced in vitro sensitivity to agonists. To determine the density and affinity of platelet thromboxane A2/prostaglandin H2 (TXA2/PGH2) receptors in patients with acute myocardial infarction and unstable angina pectoris, the maximum number of binding sites (Bmax) per platelet and the dissociation constant (Kd) of the TXA2/PGH2 receptor antagonist, [125I]-PTA-OH, was determined at equilibrium in washed platelets. Patients with acute myocardial infarction had a significantly (p = 0.006) higher Bmax (4,468 +/- 672 sites/platelet, n = 9) compared with controls (2,206 +/- 203 sites/platelet, n = 8). Restudied at a time when the patients' coronary artery disease was clinically stable, Bmax values for the myocardial infarction group had retu...