BEHAVIOR OF PLATELETS AND BETA-THROMBOGLOBULIN

Platelet count, platelet aggregation responses, and plasma beta-thromb oglobulin were assessed before and at intervals during each study dial ysis. As expected, modest thrombocytopenia was observed following trea tment with all dialysers, but Filtral showed the least effect. Concord antly, modest increases in plasma beta-thromboglobulin were observed w ith all devices except Filtral (caveat: the device also seems to adsor b beta-thromboglobulin). Interpatient variability was more striking fo r platelet aggregation responses, and made it difficult to discern pat terns; however, aggregation in response to ADP was augmented during ha emodialysis with the Filtral device, and blunted when the G120 M was e mployed. Differences between hollow-fibre and parallel plate devices w ith the same membrane material suggest that membrane geometry, manufac turing residues, membrane support, or potting materials may also contr ibute to platelet activation.