The Effect of Heparin on the Platelet Count in Vitro: With Particular Reference to the Collection of Blood for Extracorporeal Circulation

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Abstract
The fall in the platelet count that occurs when fresh blood is added to heparin in vitro is greater the less the anticoagulant. Most of the loss occurs in the first 5 minutes. Loss of platelets is as great and as rapid in siliconed glass containers and polyethylene vials as in uncounted glass. Platelets are lost primarily by clumping and disintegration rather than by adher-ence to the foreign surface. Loss of platelets is minimized by having the containers filled to near capacity. This explains why loss of platelets is slight under the conditions in which donor blood is collected for extra-corporeal circulation.