Platelet survival and the development of coronary artery disease in the young adult: Effects of cigarette smoking, strong family history and medical therapy

Cigarette smoking or a strong family history of coronary disease was present in 46 of 50 symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease who were younger than 50 years of age. We recorded a shortened platelet survival half-life (< 92 hours) with ⁵¹Cr in 60% of these patients, in 56% of apparently normal persons of the same age who smoked or had a strong family history of coronary disease, and in only 14% of normal persons who did not smoke and had no family history (p < 0.01). Lengthening of the shortened platelet survival toward normal occurred in coronary patients given dipyridamole plus aspirin and in apparently normal smokers who discontinued smoking (p < 0.01). The study suggests a possible relationship among cigarette smoking, strong family history of coronary disease and platelet activation in the process of coronary atherogenesis in the young adult.