Serial changes of circulating platelet activation markers after carotid artery stenting.

We investigated serial changes of circulation platelet activation markers in 40 patients undergoing carotid artery stenting under the protection of dual antiplatelet therapy and filter devices. Monocyte-platelet aggregates and PAC-1 (a marker specific for activated glycoprotein IIb/IIIa) analyzed by flow cytometry were determined in patients with symptomatic stenosis undergoing elective carotid artery stenting. Blood samples were obtained immediately before stent implantation and 0.5 hours, 18 hours, and 6 days after the procedure, respectively. All patients were already on dual antiplatelet therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel before carotid artery stenting, and all were stented with embolic protection devices. Both circulation monocyte-platelet aggregates and PAC-1 did not change significantly at the various time points after the procedure. Serial changes of monocyte-platelet aggregates and PAC-1 analyzed by flow cytometry fail to indicate the occurrence of platelet activation after carotid artery stenting under the treatment with dual antiplatelet therapy before carotid artery stenting and the application of embolic protection devices during the procedure.