Relationships of the platelet aggregate ratio to serum cholesterol concentration, smoking and age.

The platelet aggregate ratio has been found to be decreased in some patients with vascular diseases suggesting the presence of increased circulating platelet aggregates. It has also been reported that hypercholesterolaemia is associated with an enhanced response of platelets to aggregating agents in platelet-rich plasma. The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine correlation of the platelet aggregate ratio with the serum cholesterol concentration of men with vascular diseases. For 52 men referred because of known or suspected coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, or venous thromboembolism, the correlation coefficient of 0·06 suggested that the serum cholesterol concentration within the range observed (135-360 mg/dl) was not a factor influencing the platelet aggregate ratio. There was not a statistically significant difference between the mean platelet aggregate ratios or the mean serum cholesterol concentrations of the 21 non-smokers and the 31 smokers studied. A correlation coefficient of 0·03 between the platelet aggregate ratio and age of the patient suggested that the platelet aggregate ratio was independent of age in men with occlusive vascular diseases.