ABSTRACT
The participation of platelets in the progression of atherosclerosis, in blood vessel occlusion, and thus in subsequent manifestations such as myocardial infarction and stroke is clinically and experimentally substantiated. Potential antiplatelet agents are studied initially in the laboratory as antagonists of platelet aggregation. Adhesion to the subendothelium, the first step in hemostasis and thrombosis, is a logical and important process to investigate. However, due to informational and methodological problems, past research has not been directed heavily toward elucidation of the molecular aspects of platelet adhesion. This chapter is a survey of the studies that have examined the effects of various antithrombotic compounds on platelet adhesion. Only reports that employed conditions simulating the in vivo environment and that examined adhesion, not aggregation, are cited. Adhesion under static conditions or to glass bead columns is not discussed. Clinical and experimental studies aimed at assessing the efficacy of antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants in preventing myocardial infarction, stroke, restenosis, or vessel or graft occlusion are not mentioned, as these studies do not evaluate adhesion per se. Detailed descriptions of the techniques used to measure adhesion (e.g., Baumgartner system, parallel-plate assembly) are given in Chapters 1 and 3. Earlier reviews on platelet adhesion and the effects of antiaggregatory and antiadhesive agents are available. 1 , 2
