Abstract Number: PB1662
Meeting: ISTH 2020 Congress
Theme: Platelets and Megakaryocytes » Platelet Function and Interactions
Background: Calcific aortic stenosis (CAS) is the most common heart valve disease and a major cause of cardiac impairment. Recent preclinical studies indicate that platelets would play an active role in valve calcification through the release of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) or via the autotaxin-lysophasphatidic acid (LPA) axis. Platelets may therefore represent new biomarkers of CAS progression and outcome.
Aims: To study the correlation between platelet markers and aortic valve calcium score in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and in a new rabbit model of aortic valve calcification.
Methods: Platelet count, number of activated platelets (CD62P+), plasma levels of TGF-β, LPA, autotaxin and CT aortic valve calcium score (CT-AVC) were studied in 35 symptomatic AS patients.
New Zealand White rabbits were fed for 16 weeks with palm oil-enriched diet (5% palm oil) supplemented with vitamin D2 (25.000U/day/2.5kg for 15 days). Macrocalcification appearance was analyzed by computed tomography (CT) performed at regular intervals. Blood samples were collected at the same intervals to study the evolution of platelet count. After 16 weeks, the hearts were collected for hematoxylin-eosin and alizarin red stainings.
Results: In AS patients, CT-AVC was inversely correlated with platelet count and with the number of circulating CD62P+ platelets. Plasma TGF-β levels showed positive correlation with the number of CD62P+ platelets.
The rabbits exhibited massive aortic wall calcification, which was detectable by CT in 5 rabbits out of 6. Calcification nodules were detected in the aortic valve of 3 rabbits out of 6. Platelet count decreased after 8 weeks of diet, when calcification started to be visible by CT.
Conclusions: Platelet consumption is associated with CAS in AS patients and in our rabbit model. This supports a role for platelets in this process, possibly via TGF-β. Platelet parameters might help assessing AS severity and provide prognostic information.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
Donis N, D'Emal C, Hulin A, Gustin M, Dulgheru RE, Lancellotti P, Oury C. Platelets and Aortic Valve Calcification: Insights from a Rabbit Model and from Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis [abstract]. Res Pract Thromb Haemost. 2020; 4 (Suppl 1). https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/platelets-and-aortic-valve-calcification-insights-from-a-rabbit-model-and-from-patients-with-severe-aortic-stenosis/. Accessed September 27, 2023.« Back to ISTH 2020 Congress
ISTH Congress Abstracts - https://abstracts.isth.org/abstract/platelets-and-aortic-valve-calcification-insights-from-a-rabbit-model-and-from-patients-with-severe-aortic-stenosis/