Effect of Paroxetine on COAT-Platelet Production in Normal Volunteers and Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

COAT-platelets stands for collagen and thrombin stimulated platelets, which are two things in the body that make platelets stick together. These platelets may be important in the initiation of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). A chemical in the body called serotonin maybe responsible for COAT-platelet production. Paroxetine causes a significant reduction in platelet serotonin and therefore may have value in preventing heart attacks. Therefore, the current study is designed to determine whether paroxetine will decrease COAT-platelet production in normal volunteers and patients with cardiovascular disease.