ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the significance and the ultrastructural changes of platelets in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods Changes of platelets in 20 patients with acute cerebral infarction were observed by transmission electron microscope.Results The ultrastructural changes of platelets within 24 hours after the onset were significant,including more pseudopodium,aggregation and fusion;there were remarkable fewer alpha granules and mitochondria,the remain of mitochondria swelled and more disruption of platelet membrance were found.The degree of platelet changes consisted with the severity and sizes of cerebral infarction.The ultrastructural change of platelets was obviously restored after 2 weeks,but no restoration was found in 3 patients with large area infarction.Conclusion Ultrastructural changes of platelets in acute period of cerebral infarction were remarkable,especially a lack of alpha granules,this might be regarded as an objective index in the judgment of severity and prognosis of cerebral infarction.