Expression of platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI is associated with acute coronary syndrome

Aims Platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI) is critical for the formation of arterial thrombosis. In this observational study, we examined the platelet surface expression of GPVI in patients with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods and results We evaluated a consecutive cohort of 367 patients with symptomatic CAD, who underwent coronary angiography. The surface expression of platelet activation markers (GPVI, CD62P, and CD42b) was determined by flow cytometry. Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) showed a significantly enhanced GPVI expression on admission when compared with patients with stable angina pectoris (SAP) (ACS: 21.4 +/- 9.7; SAP: 18.6 +/- 7.1 mean fluorescence intensity +/- SD; P=0.004). The expression of GPVI correlated with CD62P (r=0.702; P=0.001). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that on admission, elevated platelet GPVI expression was associated with ACS, independent of markers of myocardial necrosis such as troponin and creatine kinase. Conclusion Platelet GPVI surface expression is elevated in patients with ACS and is associated with imminent acute coronary events. The determination of the platelet-specific thrombotic marker GPVI may help to identify patients at risk before myocardial ischaemia is evident.