ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Aim: To check the relationships between platelet characteristics and Holter ECG monitoring results in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and coronary artery disease (CAD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: 300 investigated patients were separated into three groups: I (CAD) - 149 patients with CAD without arrhythmias, II (CAD and AF) - 124 patients with CAD and AF paroxysm, and the control group (CG) - 27 patients without CAD and arrhythmias. RESULTS: Results: In the II group was detected an increase in mean platelet volume (MPV) (9.30%) and platelet-to-leucocyte ratio (PLR) (41.12%) and a decrease in platelet count (PC) (12.20%) in comparison with the I group, P<0.05. Also, in the II group was found an increase in platelet leucine (12.63%), isoleucine (10.73%), and a decrease in serine (5.06%), threonine (23.05%), valine (30.83%), glycine (32.21%) levels in comparison with the I group, P<0.05. PC, MPV, and PLR ratios were correlated with supraventricular extrasystoles per hour (r=-0.352, r=0.308, and r=0.359, consequently), P<0.05. Platelets distribution width (PDW) was correlated with ST-segment changes (r=0.371), P<0.05. Platelet threonine, serine, glycine, alanine, and valine levels were correlated with total supraventricular extrasystoles (r=-0.374, r=-0.358, r=-0.402, r=-0.307, r=-0.312, consequently) and supraventricular extrasystoles per hour (r=-0.374, r=-0.358, r=-0.402, r=-0.307, r=-0.312, consequently), P<0.05. Platelet lysine, taurine, cysteine, and phenylalanine levels were correlated with ST-segment changes (r=-0.319, r=-0.344, r=-0.376, and r=0.317, consequently), P<0.05. CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Platelet features (PC, MPV, PDW, PLR, and amino acid spectrum) are significantly correlated with supraventricular arrhythmias and ST-segment episodes, which shows their role in AF and CAD pathogenesis.