Sociedad Americana de Hirudoterapia

Platelet function assays.

Review published in Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis (2003)

Última actualización: June 18, 2026Revisado por: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewEnsayos clínicosDesarrollo de fármacosRand et al. · Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis, 2003

Abstract

The roles of platelets in hemostasis and arterial thrombosis involve their adherence to sites of vessel injury or ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, aggregation to form hemostatic plugs or thrombi, and acceleration of the coagulation cascade leading to the formation of thrombin. These roles of platelets are described in this review, hereditary platelet defects and other abnormalities associated with bleeding disorders are listed, and the various aggregating agents are discussed. A number of tests of platelet function are reviewed, including a description of their advantages and disadvantages: bleeding time determination; measurement of platelet aggregation in citrated platelet-rich plasma by recording changes in light transmission; measurement of platelet aggregation in citrated whole blood by impedance aggregometry; measurement of platelet-related hemostasis with the high shear Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100) system and the Ultegra Rapid Platelet Function Assay; use of the Cone and Plate(let) Analyzer to measure platelet adherence and aggregation under conditions of high shear; measurement of secretion of granule contents (ATP, 14C-serotonin, platelet factor 4, beta-thromboglobulin) and the formation of thromboxane B(2); and use of flow cytometry to assess the state of platelet activation (including conformational changes in membrane glycoproteins and surface expression of P-selectin and phosphatidylserine) ex vivo and in vitro following addition of agonists, and to measure levels of platelet membrane glycoproteins in the detection of inherited deficiencies.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleReview
Indexed MeSH termsBlood Platelet DisordersBlood PlateletsHumansPlatelet AggregationPlatelet Function Tests

Resumen

The roles of platelets in hemostasis and arterial thrombosis involve their adherence to sites of vessel injury or ruptured atherosclerotic plaques, aggregation to form hemostatic plugs or thrombi, and acceleration of the coagulation cascade leading to the formation of thrombin.

Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia

This review describes the roles of platelets in hemostasis and arterial thrombosis (adhesion, aggregation, and acceleration of the coagulation cascade toward thrombin formation) and catalogs laboratory tests of platelet function—bleeding time, light-transmission and impedance aggregometry, the PFA-100 and Ultegra rapid assay, the Cone and Plate(let) Analyzer, granule-secretion and thromboxane measurements, and flow-cytometric assessment of platelet activation. Its relevance to ASH is methodological and indirect: these are the assay platforms by which any antiplatelet or antithrombotic effect—including effects attributed to medicinal-leech salivary components—would be objectively measured, so the paper helps frame how leech-secretome bioactivity could be quantified rather than reporting any leech finding itself. As a methods-oriented review it summarizes established laboratory techniques and contains no hirudotherapy data and no efficacy claim.

Citación

Platelet function assays.

Rand et al. · Transfusion and apheresis science : official journal of the World Apheresis Association : official journal of the European Society for Haemapheresis, 2003

Contexto clínico relacionado

Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026

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