Platelet activation after endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract

Aim To investigate the effect of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) on platelet (PLT) function and reveal possible associated factors. Methods Fifty consecutive patients were included. PLT count and activation (CD62P-CD36), white blood cell (WBC) count, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured preoperatively, at the first and third postoperative day. Results EVAR elicited a significant reduction in PLT count from baseline to first day after EVAR ( p < 0.001), while no significant difference was noted between the first and third day. Furthermore, CD62P expression was markedly elevated at the first day after EVAR (median % positive PLTs from 13.7 at baseline to 22.1, p = 0.05), but returned to baseline levels by the third day. Maximum abdominal aortic aneurysm diameter was the only factor that significantly affected the CD62P values ( p = 0.005). Postoperative CD36 values were significantly correlated with total aneurysm volume ( p = 0.05) and were higher in endografts made from polyester ( p = 0.01). There were no correlation between PLT activation and hs-CRP, WBC, maximum temperature, and 30-day morbidity. Conclusion EVAR has elucidated a significant reduction in PLT count and increase in PLT activation at the immediate postoperative period. The type of the endograft material and the aneurysm maximum diameter and volume appear to play an important role in PLT activation.