Detection of intra-cardiac and intra-arterial thrombi using labelled platelets

Scintigraphy with 111 Indium labelled platelets is a powerful tool to detect platelet deposits in vessels. This quantitative and functional imaging method needs a labeling procedure which completely preserves the properties of the platelets and allows the concept of hematologically active clot. Three main groups of patients were examined. 1-91 hematologically active intra-cardiac thrombi were detected. The follow-up of 19 of them shows 5 deaths and 7 cerebral embolisms. 2-372 patients with lower limb ischemia, mainly in the case of blue toe syndrome were examined. 158 times a comparison with the surgical patterns was possible, there were 3 false positive and 9 false negative results. 3-In a group of 310 patients with transient cerebro-vascular accidents, 38 times the records were poorly significant. In 27 patients we were able to compare the morphological examinations (including platelet scintigraphy) to the anatomical findings. Sensitivity was only 64% and specificity 71%. As in the cases of intra-cardiac thrombi, the method allows the follow-up of pharmacological therapy. Platelets labelled with 111 Indium provide the means for sensitive and specific detection of hematologically active clots in cardiac and arterial pathology