Platelet Aggregation

Category:

Platelet Aggregation

Description

Platelets are components of the blood.   They have the property to react in the presence of atmospheric oxygen, forming clumps.  This property is essential when a damage is caused to arteries and veins.   Platelets aggregate quickly enough to prevent important lack of blood and also to prevent exogenous agents to enter the blood stream.
This test evaluates the ability of platelets to clump together in blood. This test is used to assess how well platelets function. This test is used when an inherited or drug-caused platelet dysfunction is suspected.
Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm.

Purpose of the test

To evaluate the level of platelet aggregation of the blood in order to check that platelet aggregation function correctly.

Possible reasons why this test may be done:
• Hereditary platelet function disorder
• Platelet dysfunction due to drugs
Patients with history of thrombosis or similar problems of clots in the blood have to get medication to keep this parameter within a narrow band, and get monitored its platelet aggregation levels frequently.   If the level of platelet aggregation in their blood is low, this leads to risk of hemorrhage and edema. If level is too high the risk of heart attack, thrombosis or emboli will be increased.

Reference range values

Adults: >65% aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (ADP), arachidonic acid, collagen, epinephrine and ristocetin.

Abnormal findings

Abnormal aggregation levels are normally due to an inherited disease or the effect of drugs.

Also platelet aggregation can be increased by:
o Hemolysis
o Lipemia
o Nicotine