VESSEL WALL AND IN-111 LABELED PLATELET RESPONSE TO CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 93  (3) , 424-432
Abstract
Postendarterectomy platelet deposition and thrombus formation may play an important role not only in vessel wall heading but also in the small incidence of postperative cerebral ischemia and postoperative stenosis. A study was performed using a canine model to investigate the healing response to carotid endarterectomy and the validity of an in vivo radiotracer technique in the assessment of postendarterectomy deposition of autologous labelled platelets. Sixteen endarterectoized cartoid arteries showed uptake of autologous 111In platelets immediately after infusion, reaching a maximum by 1 h with little increase at 24 or 48 h. No uptake was seen in 10 control vessels following platelet infusion (P < 0.05). At autopsy, 7 vessels were demonstrated to have 111In platelet deposition immediately prior to sacrifice of the animals. Postmortem scanning confirmed the localization to the vessel lumens, and microscopy revealed thrombus formation with or without partial endothelialization. Complete reendothelialization had occurred in the vessels that failed to show platelet deposition. Delayed healing was associated with continuing platelet deposition, excessive thrombus formation and luminal stenosis. Arteriotomy closure with a vein patch altered the healing characteristics of the vessel with segmental thrombus formation over the vein patch. A preliminary study of the postendarterectomy in vivo 111In platelet response in humans demonstrated platelet deposition that was not influenced by the administration of antiplatelet drugs at currently prescribed levels.