Diagnostic Methods for Platelet Function Analysis

Abstract

Platelets play a key role in the regulation of haemostasis, clot stability and retraction, vascular repair, and exert an increasingly recognised function in host defence. Conversely, platelets are also implied in many pathophysiological processes, such as thrombosis, haemorrhage, inflammation, atherogenesis, tumour growth and metastasis. Thus quantitative and qualitative platelet alterations have been associated with distinct clinical diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tumour metastasis and sepsis, and consequently different diagnostic platelet markers are correlated with the prognosis and severity of these diseases. While primary platelet functional abnormalities are very rare diseases, acquired platelet function disorders are rather frequent and occur in the context of many diseases and in association with several drugs. Furthermore, the introduction of a great variety of different anti-platelet agents leads to iatrogenic states of therapeutically reduced platelet function. This review provides an overview of the methodological principles of platelet function analysis, the currently available diagnostic devices, the application and suitability for the diagnosis of different platelet function disorders and the restrictions of each method, to promote an optimal selection of diagnostic tests.

Perioperative Coagulation Management and Control of Platelet Transfusion by Point-of-Care Platelet Function Analysis

“…Since these three analyzers monitor different aspects of platelet function and have different limitations, the selection of the right test system depends on the right question [35] ( Görlinger/Jambor/Hanke/Dirkmann/Adamzik/ Hartmann/Rahe-Meyer • • dynamic (with high shear stress blood flow), • static (without high shear stress blood flow).…”

Hydrophoretic high-throughput selection of platelets in physiological shear-stress range

“…[1][2][3] Thus, platelet alterations are strongly associated with distinct clinical diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, tumor metastasis, and sepsis. 4,5 In recent years, additional platelet functions have continued to come to light. Platelets can be drug targets in sepsis, and also foster cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.…”

Value of Platelet Function Testing in Monitoring Platelet Substitution

“…Furthermore, flow cytometry seems to be applicable for the assessment of the amount of transfused platelets in patients with congenital deficiencies of platelet membrane proteins [21,22]. By using fluorescence resonance energy transfer, this method seems to be capable to investigate ligand induced conformational changes of glycoproteins or interactions with other cells [23,24], but these assays are only applicable in specialized laboratories. Furthermore, flow cytometry does not provide any information about the overall haemostasis.…”