Appearance of WBC-platelet complex in acute ischemic stroke,predominantly in atherothrombotic infarction

Aim: platelet aggregates with white blood cells (wbc-platelet complex) have recently been proposed as a marker of activated platelets,in addition to well-known molecular markers. we aimed to investigate the colocalization of activated platelets and wbc-platelet complex by means of flow cytometry,in patients with ischemic stroke. methods: eighty-six patients with cerebral infarction (ci) in the acute phase (58 males,28 females; 65±14 years old) and 62 non-ci controls (23 males,39 females; 53±14 years old) were registered. the appearance of wbc-platelet complex was quantified using 3-color flow cytometry. results: the appearance rate of wbc-platelet complex was significantly higher in the ci group than in the controls. the appearance rate of wbc-platelet complex was significantly higher in atherothrombotic infarction (at) than in lacunar infarction (la) (p≤ 0.05). furthermore,positive rates of both monocyte-platelet complex and granulocyte-platelet complex,but not lymphocyte-platelet complex,were significantly higher in the at group than in the controls. conclusion: we concluded that wbc-platelet complex,especially involving monocytes and granulocytes,is a novel marker of platelet activation in the acute phase of ischemic stroke,mainly in at.