Inflammatory cell content of coronary thrombi is dependent on thrombus age in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is typically caused by an occlusive coronary thrombus. The process of intracoronary thrombus formation is poorly understood. It is known that inflammatory cells play a role in the formation and resolution of venous thrombi, however their role in coronary thrombosis is not clear. We therefore analyzed inflammatory cells in thrombi derived from patients with STEMI in relation to histologically classified thrombus age. METHODS: Thrombus aspirates of 113 patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention were prospectively collected and classified (fresh, lytic, or organized) based on hematoxylin and eosin staining. The density of inflammatory cells neutrophils (MPO), monocytes/macrophages (CD68), lymphocytes (CD45), and the platelet area (CD31), were visualized using immunohistochemistry. Patients' history, medication, and laboratory data were registered. RESULTS: Fresh thrombi (76.1%) were the most abundant as compared to lytic (16.8%) and organized (7.1%) thrombi. Neutrophils were significantly less present in organized (169cells/mm(2)) compared to fresh (327 cells/mm(2)) and lytic thrombi (311 cells/mm(2)). Monocytes/macrophages were significantly more present in lytic (471 cells/mm(2)) than in fresh (312 cells/mm(2)) thrombi. We additionally found that thrombi from patients aged 50 years old contained significantly more neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages irrespective of thrombus age. Furthermore platelet area was smaller in patients on aspirin again irrespective of thrombus age. No gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: The composition of inflammatory cells differs with thrombus age in thrombosuction material of STEMI patients that in part depends on patient age and medication