Platelet Pl A2 Allele and Incidence of Coronary Heart Disease

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Abstract
Background—The major platelet integrin glycoprotein IIb-IIIa plays a primary role in platelet aggregation and acute thrombus formation at the site of vascular injury. A genetic polymorphism of glycoprotein IIb-IIIa (PlA) has recently been proposed as a potential genetic factor linking to platelet hyperaggregability and increased risk of myocardial infarction. Despite numerous, mostly nonprospective studies, the role of this polymorphism as a clinically relevant, inherited risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD) is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether PlA2 is a risk factor for incident CHD and whether it is correlated with increased platelet activation in a case-cohort study nested within a prospective epidemiologic investigation. Methods and Results—Blood samples were collected and processed from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study cohort at the baseline examination (1987 to 1989). They were stored at −80°C. PlA1/A2 genotype and plasma β-thromboglobulin le...