NITROGEN MICROBUBBLES INDUCE A DISAPPEARANCE OF SINGLE PLATELETS (AGGREGATION) WITH PORCINE PLATELETS - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF ANTICOAGULANTS AND BLOOD COLLECTION METHODS

The pathogenesis of decompression illness (DCI) is uncertain. DCI invo lves all parts of the organism where gas bubbles are produced. They ha ve both primary and secondary effects and have been classified as an a gonist aggregating human platelets. In vitro effects of N-2 bubbles on porcine platelets were investigated. Comparative studies using two di fferent anticoagulants and three different sampling methods were perfo rmed. A disappearance of single platelets interpreted as platelet aggr egation was observed in the presence of N-2 bubbles in all studied gro ups. Aggregatory responses were more profound with platelets in hepari nized plasma than in citrated plasma. In citrated plasma the aggregato ry responses were more profound when blood was obtained from nonanaest hetized (awake) animals than from slaugtherhouse animals. Adrenaline ( 1 mu M) had an inhibitory effect on N2 bubble induced platelet aggrega tion in vitro. The pig could be useful to investigate possible gas bub ble effects in vitro.