Hyperglycemia and platelet function in diabetic patients: Relevance to acute myocardial ischemia and infarction

Diabetic patients with acute coronary syndromes are at higher risk for mortality, even if they have ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Diabetic patients with unstable angina/non-Q-wave infarction have impaired platelet responsiveness to nitric oxide, a physiological anti-aggregating autocoid. The extent of this impairment depends on the degree of hyperglycemia. Rapid correction of hyperglycemia with infused insulin restores responsiveness to nitric oxide, thus ameliorating platelet dysfunction.John D. Horowitz, Yuliy Y. Chirkovhttp://www.cardiologyreviewonline.com/issues/articles/2007-12_04.as