Novel role of platelets in mediating inflammatory responses and ventricular rupture or remodeling following myocardial infarction

Abstract

Objective- The goal of this study was to investigate the role of platelets in systemic and cardiac inflammatory responses and the development of postinfarct ventricular complications, as well as the efficacy of antiplatelet interventions. Methods and Results- Using a mouse myocardial infarction (MI) model, we determined platelet accumulation and severity of inflammation within the infarcted myocardium by immunohistochemistry and biochemical assays, analyzed peripheral blood platelet-leukocyte conjugation using flow cytometry, and tested antiplatelet interventions, including thienopyridines and platelet depletion. Platelets accumulated within the infarcted region early post-MI and colocalized..