Yoshiharu Fukushima

Cerebrovascular Injuries and Brain Edema Following Activation of Platelets

Recently, physiologically active substances released from activated platelets have attracted attention because of their pronounced effect on circulating platelets and vessel walls. The possibility that these vasoactive substances from platelets might injure the vessels has been suggested by several investigators [1]. Jorgensen [2], Furlow and Bass [3], and Fischi [4] observed intravascular platelet aggregation and disturbances of cerebral circulation after the injection of platelet-aggregating agents such as ADP or arachidonic acid. But vascular changes associated with platelet thrombi were not observed. We have previously reported the appearance of vascular injuries in cerebral arteries induced by intravascular platelet aggregation in vivo [5–7]. In this paper we describe the vascular injury and give our analysis of the mechanisms of these vascular changes and of brain edema.