THE LIGHT-SCATTERING WHOLE-BLOOD AGGREGOMETER - A NOVEL DEVICE FOR ASSESSMENT OF PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN UNDILUTED BLOOD

Citation
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
Journal title
Archives of pathology and laboratory medicine
ISSN journal
00039985 → ACNP
Volume
122
Issue
10
Year of publication
1998
Pages
880 - 886
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-9985(1998)122:10<880:TLWA-A>2.0.ZU;2-W
Abstract
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.