In vivo platelet activation in lower limbs thrombophlebitis. A longitudinal study.

Platelet activation in vivo was studied in patients with thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs. The parameters considered were the platelet aggregate ratio (PAR) and the beta-thromboglobulin (beta-tg) level, which were repeatedly evaluated from the disease onset up to 3 months later, during anticoagulating and antiaggregating therapy. A significant decrease of PAR was found, along with a significant rise of the beta-tg level at the onset of the disease, and these values slowly returned to normal on therapy course. The same parameters exceeded the normal range again when the patients arbitrarily suspended any drug assumption. The possible significance and implications of these findings are discussed.