Interactions between platelets and leukocytes during hemodialysis

The formation of platelet-leukocyte microaggregates has been observed in a variety of conditions. When platelets and leukocytes coaggregate, in genera l, a reciprocal activation occurs when both cells are activated, and the in teractions between activated platelets and leukocytes may be relevant in bo th hemostasis and inflammatory processes. The study of platelet-leukocyte i nteractions in hemodialysis offers the novel aspect of cellular-cellular in teraction as a new parameter for evaluating the biocompatibility of dialyze r membranes. This article reviews the investigations of the interactions be tween platelets and leukocytes during hemodialysis and the pathophysiologic implications which may stem from such interactions.