2010 Volume 21 Issue 1 Pages 32-41
Evaluation of platelet aggregation is necessary in elucidating the mechanisms of atherosclerotic lesions such as ischemic heart and brain diseases. We developed a new method for measuring platelet aggregation in citrated whole blood using an automated hematology analyzer (ADVIA120). The Perox peak height analyzed signals total (Perox PHA total) in ADVIA120, a total cell counts of Perox positive area, was employed as a maker for platelet aggregation. A laser-scattering method using PA-20 was used as a reference method. In correspondence with small platelet clump formation induced by low dose agonist stimulation in PA-20, the Perox PHA total value was increased in a timedependent manner with a peak at 3 min in 10 healthy volunteers. This increase was observed also in spontaneous platelet aggregation. Although high dose agonist stimulation induced larger clumps in PA-20, the Perox PHA total value was not increased. Platelet aggregation was inhibited in PA-20 in 6 healthy volunteers who had received oral aspirin for 7 days and this inhibition was similarly observed in the Perox PHA total. The present method using the Perox PHA total value in ADVIA120 was shown to be useful for evaluating platelet aggregation and also for monitoring the effects of anti-platelet drugs.
