Y. Zheng et al., THE LIGHT-SCATTERING WHOLE-BLOOD AGGREGOMETER - A NOVEL DEVICE FOR ASSESSMENT OF PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN UNDILUTED BLOOD, Archives of pathology and laboratory medicine, 122(10), 1998, pp. 880-886
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Pathology,"Medical Laboratory Technology","Medicine, Research & Experimental
Objective.-A novel whole blood platelet aggregometer has been develope
d. Based on differential light-scattering principles, the device detec
ts platelet aggregates in undiluted blood. The primary objectives of t
his report are to introduce the design of this novel device and to eva
luate its ability to assess platelet aggregation. Design.-In the light
-scattering whole blood aggregometer, anticoagulated blood is dispense
d into a self-contained sample loop and circulated with the help of a
peristaltic pump. Laser light is directed into the circulating blood,
and the scattered light signals are converted to electrical signals an
d analyzed. When platelet aggregates pass through the illuminated regi
on, they produce peak signals, which are detected and quantified; the
platelet aggregation profile is the time-dependent development of the
total aggregate volume. Assessment.-After the calibration of the light
-scattering signals using polystyrene microspheres, platelet aggregati
on was measured by the light-scattering aggregometer, and the results
were compared with those obtained with the conventional turbidometric
(based on light transmission) and electrical impedance aggregometers.
Scanning electron microscopy was used to confirm the presence of plate
let aggregates in the whole blood samples taken from the light-scatter
ing aggregometer. Results.-Scanning electron micrographs and light-sca
ttering observations confirmed that the peak signals detected after th
e addition of platelet aggregating reagents to blood were caused by pl
atelet aggregates. Results of platelet aggregation and its inhibition
in blood were similar to these obtained with the impedance whole blood
aggregometer. Conclusion.-The novel light-scattering whole blood aggr
egometer has been shown to be a valid device to measure platelet aggre
gation and may be well suited for the assessment of platelet function
in research and clinical blood samples.