Plasma thromboglobulin and platelet aggregation index in transient ischaemic attack: effect of aspirin and dipyridamole therapy.

Beta-thromboglobulin (beta TG) plasma levels and platelet aggregation index (PAI) were determined in 14 transient ischaemic attack (TIA) patients, before and two weeks after starting therapy with aspirin and dipyridamole. Thirty healthy men were the control group. Decrement in beta TG plasma levels (without statistical significance) was found in treated patients when compared to the period before treatment. It is noteworthy that both these levels were significantly higher than plasma beta TG levels of normal controls. A highly significant difference was found between PAI of patients before treatment compared with PAI of patients treated with aspirin and dipyridamole. PAI was higher and similar to PAI of controls in the treated patients. No correlation between these two tests was established. It is concluded that the beta TG test is efficient as an aid for diagnosis of TIA, while PAI is better tool for follow-up.