Platelet Apoptosis in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease Before and After CABG

Cardiovascular diseases have been one of the leading causes of death worldwide for over 30 years and coronary artery disease occupies a prominent place among them. Predicting the long-term outcome after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is still a challenging task; however, since platelets are directly involved in the course of the disease, their functional status can help predict postoperative complications. The objective was to evaluate the dynamics of platelet apoptosis before and after CABG. The study involved 30 patients with a scheduled CABG suffering from coronary artery disease. Flow cytometry, Western blot and polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate apoptosis and the activation of platelets. Changes in platelet membranes and the depolarization of mitochondrial membranes were observed, as well as the expression of active caspase 8 and BCL-2, indicating the activation of apoptosis through an extrinsic receptor-dependent signaling pathway. The data obtained suggest significant changes in platelet metabolic processes, which could play a crucial role in the development of coronary artery disease and atherosclerosis as well as being associated with postoperative complications.