Platelets and white blood cell subpopulations among patients with myocardial infarction and unstable angina

Platelet (PLT)-endothelial cell and PLT-leukocyte interactions at lesion-prone sites might trigger a local inflammatory response early in the genesis of atherosclerosis and contribute to plaque destabilization leading to acute coronary syndromes (ACS). The aim of this study was to assess the PLT count, mean PLT volume (MPV), PLT mass, white blood cell (WBC; including eosinophils) and plasma interleukin (IL)-5, in patients with ACS and controls. PLT count, MPV, PLT mass, WBC and eosinophil percentage were determined in 167 consecutive patients with ACS (86 with acute myocardial infarction, AMI, and 81 unstable angina, UA) and 83 controls. Plasma IL-5 was measured in some patients and controls. Patients were considered in subgroups depending on smoking status and if they had or did not have diabetes mellitus (DM). The PLT count was lower in the UA and AMI groups although this did not always achieve significance. The MPV was significantly raised in all patient groups except in DM non-smokers with UA or AMI. All AMI patients had significantly higher WBC counts compared with controls. The percentage of eosinophils was lower in the UA and AMI groups although this did not always achieve significance. Plasma IL-5 levels were significantly increased in the UA and AMI groups. In conclusion, patients with ACS present with changes in the count of several cell types. These cells may become therapeutic targets and these changes may also act as markers of myocardial damage or prognosis.