Abstract
Background and Purpose: In order to evaluate platelet activation, we developed a simple and rapid method to detect clumps (aggregates) of platelets using a hematology analyzer. The purpose of this study is to undertake basic evaluation and to investigate the clinical usefulness of our newly modified method. Method: The measurements were done on EDTA-whole blood and citrated whole blood from patients with cerebral infarction, and from non-cerebrovascular disease (CVD) patients with or without risk factors for vascular diseases. The blood cell counts and scattergrams of platelets and white blood cells were displayed rapidly and automatically. Results: Platelet clumps were not observed in the citrated whole blood of healthy subjects. When the aggregation-inducing drugs were added to the citrated whole blood of healthy subjects, the platelets clumped dose-dependently. The appearance of platelet clumps was well correlated with ADP-induced aggregation and epinephrine-induced aggregation measured by a laser-scattering method. Aggregation was observed in 27 of 39 non-CVD patients with risk factors and 37 of 76 patients with cerebral infarction. Conclusion: The newly modified method using a hematology analyzer is useful for detecting platelet activation in vivo.
