Computational analysis of platelet adhesion and aggregation under stagnation point flow conditions

The clinical relevance of platelet function assessment with stagnation poin t flow adhesio-aggregometry (SPAA) has been verified. Quantitative analysis of platelet adhesion and aggregation is possible by means of mathematical analysis of the dark-field, light intensity curves (growth curves) obtained during the SPAA experiment. We present a computational procedure for evalu ating these curves, which was necessitated by, and is based on, actual clin ical application. A qualitative growth curve classification, corresponding to a basic and distinct pattern of platelet deposition and characteristic o f a regularly occurring clinical state is also presented. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.