A Comparison of Methods for the Study of Platelet Hyperfunction in Thrornboembolic Disorders

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Abstract
To gain insight into the interrelationship of various methods for the study to platelet hyperfunction, plasma .beta.-thromboglobulin (.beta.-TG), circulating platelet aggregates (CPA) and ADP-induced platelet aggregation were compared in 119 patients with thromboembolic disorders and in 28 control subjects. CPA correlated fairly well with .beta.-TG, suggesting that both methods measure similar in vivo platelet activation and aggregation. CPA had an excellent correlation with platelet survival half-time. Poor correlation existed between in vitro platelet aggregation and CPA or .beta.-TG. CPA and .beta.-TG procedures are suitable for determination of in vivo platelet activation whereas the platelet aggregation technique has serious limitations for testing of in vivo platelet activity. To have an accurate assessment of platelet hyperfunction, a battery of tests is needed.