Adhesiveness of Blood Platelets in Arteriosclerosis Obliterans, Thromboangiitis Obliterans, Acute Thrombophlebitis, Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Arteriosclerotic Heart Disease

Abstract

Total and adhesive platelet counts were made on normal individuals and on patients with myocardial infarction, thromboangiitis obliterans, and other peripheral vascular diseases. Tests were made in several cases while patients smoked and after abstaining from tobacco. Repeated tests were done while patients were receiving dicumarol anticoagulant therapy. A rise in adhesive platelet counts was found in cases of thromboangiitis obliterans, particularly with activity of the disease, and in cases of thrombophlebitis. Cessation of cigarette smoking in cases of thromboangiitis obliterans resulted in a significant decrease in platelet adhesiveness.