Plasma Beta-Thromboglobulin in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Platelet activation and its clinical importance were evaluated with plasma beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) measurements in 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Thirty healthy subjects were included in the study as controls. Blood samples were taken for BTG meassurements on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 14th days of AMI. The mean BTG values in all days were higher than the mean control value (p<0.005). The highest mean value was obtained on the 3rd day. BTG values showed variations from day to day and 2 patients had normal values in all samples. Clinical findings and plasma BTG values failed to show any relationship. It was concluded that platet activity and its degree, as assessed by plasma BTG measrements, lack clinical importance in patients with AMI.