Background. Enhanced platelet reactivity and elevated inflammatory response together with neglected dental care promote coronary heart disease. For that reason we report associations between these risk factors in stable angina pectoris.

Methods. We enrolled patients (n¼59) with at least one significant stenotic lesion in at least one affected major coronary artery. Platelet reactivity, C-reactive protein (CRP) together with neutrophil and eosinophil counts were measured before elective coronary angiography. We analysed platelet reactivity i.e. platelet in vitro reactions after challenge with ADP(8.5 and 1.7 mmol/L) and a thrombin-related peptide(TRAP-6) (74 and 54 mmol/L). Dental health was assessed within one year after angiography. To estimate the degree of deeper gingivitis bleeding on probing (BOP) expressed as bleeding sites on the total number of sites in the dentition was determined.

Results. Patients (n ¼ 39) with ‘‘less severe’’ gingivitis(i.e. a BOP 5¼30%) were grouped together. The ‘‘more severe’’ gingivitis group consisted of 20individuals with a BOP 5¼ 30%. Subjects with ‘‘more severe’’ gingival inflammation had ‘‘less reactive’’ platelets. The p-values were p50.01 for both ADP dilutions. TRAP-6 challenge yielded similar results (p50.01 for both concentrations).CRP and neutrophils did not differ between the study groups. Augmented eosinophil counts(p50.01) proved to be related with ‘‘more severe’ ’dental inflammation. 

Conclusion. In stable angina pectoris, platelet reactivity is inversely related to the seriousness of the oral infection. Severe disease is associated with higher eosinophil counts but disease severity is unrelated to the acute phase response.