The Effect of Heparin on <i>In Vitro</i> Stimulated Platelet Aggregation by Elective Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Abstract

Background:The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of heparin on in vitro stimulated platelet aggregation by elective percutaneous coronary intervention Methods: Thirty elective percutaneous coronary angioplasty (PTCA) patients were included in the present study. The patients were administered heparin as anticoagulant agent during PTCA. Two blood samples were obtained during the intervention before and 10 minutes after heparin bolus and stimulated platelet aggregation responses were investigated. Results:The difference in platelet aggregation response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) before and after unfractionated heparin (UFH) was statistically significant (p<0.05). The differences in platelet aggregation responses to collagen, to epinephrine, and to ristocetin before and after UFH were not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: Heparin increases in vitro plateletaggregation stimulated with ADP in elective PTCA patients. This finding might explain the prothrombotic tendency of heparin, however further investigations are needed.