[The clinical significance of changes in plasma levels of alpha-granule membrane protein and D-dimer in patients with unstable angina].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the relationship between platelet activation and enhanced coagulability and the occurrence unstable angina.

METHODS

Plasma levels of a-granule membrane protein (GMP-140) and fibrin D-dimer were measured in 22 patients with unstable angina during the acute phase and after relief. The same procedure were compared with those in 20 control subjects and 18 patients with stable angina.

RESULTS

Plasma levels of GMP-140 and D-dimer were significantly higher in patients with unstable angina both during the acute phase (P < 0.01) and after the relief (P < 0.05) as compared with those in control subjects and patients with stable angina, but there was no significant difference between the latter two groups (P > 0.05). There was also no significant difference between the patients with unstable angina during the acute phase and after the relief (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

It is shown that activation of platelet and coagulation system combined with endothelial injury may play an important role in the development of unstable angina.