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Standard flow cytometers provide relative numbers of activated platelets, microparticles, and platelet aggregates. With fluorescent beads it is now possible to determine absolute numbers. Whole blood and platelet-rich plasma were incubated with agonists (ADP, collagen, thrombin). CD62p expression, microparticle and platelet aggregate formation were measured. Flow-Count Fluorospheres^® were added to calculate absolute concentrations. After activation there was an increase in the percentage of CD62p-positive platelets. However, the total number of platelets decreased and therefore the absolute number of CD62p-positive platelets did not increase but decreased. The number of CD62p-positive platelets decreased not as much as the number of CD62p-negative platelets, which explains why the relative percentage of CD62p-positive platelets increased. A similar increase in percent and decrease in absolute counts was found for microparticles. Platelet aggregates increased both in relative and absolute numbers. These results suggest that the detection of activated platelets by flow cytometry has to be complemented by the determination of the absolute concentrations to avoid misinterpretation.

While aggregometry is time consuming the RPFA provides results fast and with little variability. There is still a discrepancy between aggregometry and RPFA results for tirofiban. The single platelet counting technique detects the inhibition of microaggregation the relevance of which for the clinical outcome is not known. The flow cytometric receptor occupancy assay is best suited for abciximab.

SummaryWe studied the effect of GPIIb/IIIa-inhibitors on platelet activation with flow cytometry in vitro. Citrated whole blood was incubated with increasing concentrations of three different GPIIb/IIIa-inhibitors (c7E3, DMP728, XJ757), then thrombin or ADP were added and after 1 min the sample was fixed. Samples without c7E3 but with 0.1 U/ml thrombin had a decrease in platelet count. Samples with increasing concentrations of c7E3 had a lesser or no decrease in platelet count. The two other inhibitors (DMP 725, XJ757) gave similar results. GPIIb/IIIa-inhibitors prevent aggregate formation and more single platelets remain in the blood sample. The agonist-induced decrease in platelet count correlates closely with the concentration of the GPIIb/IIIa inhibitor and receptor occupancy. This correlation may be used as a simple measure for inhibitor activity in whole blood.