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Platelet activation occurs in a variety of clinical situations in which it directly contributes to the pathology. This study reports a simple flow cytometric assay for platelet activation which measures platelet‐derived microparticles, activated platelets and platelet–monocyte complexes. Pre‐ and post analytical conditions were investigated and optimized and a normal range established on 20 healthy controls. Twenty patients pre‐ and post percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were tested with the technique. Soluble activation markers sCD40 ligand and sP‐selectin and plasma phospholipid levels were measured in both groups. There was a significant increase in activated platelets and platelet–monocyte complexes between normal and pre‐PCI (P = 0.005 and 0.0275, respectively) suggesting an activated state. There was a significant fall in activated platelets post‐PCI (P = 0.0027) which was mirrored by a fall in …