[Blood platelet activation markers in patients with acute cerebral infarction during the earliest stage of the disease--evaluation using flow cytometry methods].

Platelet activation seems to play a critical role in a number of vascular diseases, including stroke. The aim of our study was whole-blood flow cytometry evaluation of platelet activation markers: P-selectin (CD62), glycoprotein-53 (CD63) and platelet-derived microparticle in vivo in patients with acute cerebral infarction. We investigated 50 patients (29 men and 21 women, mean age 67.8) with acute cerebral infarction. Parameters of platelet activation were measured on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after stroke onset. Comparisons were made with 20 control patients matched age. Compared to controls (1.6 +/- 0.7%) the stroke patients showed higher expression of CD62 on the 1st (2.6 +/- 1.4%), 3rd (3.5 +/- 2.3%) and 7th (3.0 +/- 2.0%) day after stroke onset. The differences were statistically significant on all days (p < 0.05). Compared to controls (1.5 +/- 0.6%) the stroke patients had also higher expression of CD63 on the 1st (1.9 +/- 0.6%), 3rd (2.0 +/- 0.6%) day and they showed higher level of platelet-derived microparticles on the 3rd (13.0 +/- 3.0%) day after stroke onset. The differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Elevated expression of CD62, CD63 and platelet-derived microparticles level indicate platelet activation during the acute phase of ischaemic stroke. Flow cytometry is a useful tool for in vivo assessment of platelet activation.