Platelet Preparation for Function Testing in the Laboratory and Clinic: Historical and Practical Aspects

Overview

Journal Res Pract Thromb Haemost

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2019 Oct 19

PMID 31624781

Citations 26

Authors

Beatrice Hechler

Arnaud Dupuis

Pierre H Mangin

Christian Gachet

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Laboratory tests of platelet function are instrumental in studying platelet physiology and inherited or acquired platelet abnormalities. Light transmission aggregometry, developed in the early 1960s, is still considered the gold standard for the identification and diagnosis of platelet function disorders. Since then, novel techniques have been developed, including flow-based assays and flow cytometry. In this tutorial, we describe the basic methodologies for the preparation of citrated platelet-rich plasma and washed platelet suspensions and discuss their respective advantages and limitations as well as important factors to consider to perform high-quality tests of platelet function. In addition, the methodologies of the main platelet function tests (light transmission aggregation, flow-based assays, and flow cytometric assays) are described, and their respective strengths and limitations are discussed to assess various aspects of platelet biology.

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