[Inhibition of platelet aggregation by immune complexes. I. Clinical studies].

In patients with coronary heart disease and in healthy individuals, the characteristics of platelet aggregation were compared to those of circulating immune complexes. Platelet aggregation and the level of immune complexes were found to be significantly increased as compared with healthy donors. No correlation was revealed between platelet aggregation parameters and the concentration of immune complexes in the serum treated with 3.5% polyethylene glycol. A significant reverse correlation was revealed upon comparing the results of platelet aggregation with the level of small immune complexes detectable in 7% polyethylene glycol. A mechanism is suggested by which platelet aggregation is suppressed by small immune complexes.