Platelet thromboembolism.

Platelet-dependent thrombosis and subsequent embolization are major causes of cerebral ischaemia. Beside aspirin which irreversibly blocks platelet cyclo-oxygenase, several other substances interfere in different platelet metabolic pathways and block platelet adhesion and aggregation. We found in an experimental model using non-human primates that a specific peptide inhibitor blocking GP IIb/IIIa platelet receptor which binds fibrinogen completely, prevents the retention of embolized platelet aggregates in the cerebral circulation. As thrombin may play a key role for platelet activation in vivo leech-derived hirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor as well as activated protein C which limits thrombin production and also prevents platelet dependent thrombus formation very effective. We demonstrated in the same non-human primate model of platelet embolization that the amount of retention of platelet emboli in the vascular bed depends on the nature of the vasculature. For example, platelet emboli were cleared very quickly from brain microcirculation, whereas platelet embolization into the lower limb via the femoral artery caused a significantly longer retention of the embolized material. Such specific mechanisms may be caused by different levels of local vasodilators as PGI2 or EDRF.