Blood Platelet Accumulation in a Dacron Graft Implanted in a Patient with Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm: Quantitative Scintigraphic Assessment Using Indium-111 Labeled Platelets - Case Report*

Abstract

During routine screening after abdominal aorta aneurysm repair, thrombocytopenia accompanied by chronic activation of coagulation was detected in an 80-year old patient. Coagulation activity was assessed by the increased concentration of coagulation and fibrinolysis activation markers (prothrombin fragment F1+2 and D-dimer). After the most common causes of such activation were excluded using imaging and laboratory studies, Indium-111 labeled autologous blood platelet accumulation on a dacron graft was demonstrated using the scintigraphic technique. Thus, the implanted dacron graft was the cause of chronic thrombocytopenia and coagulation activation during the two years of follow up.