DECREASED PLATELET THROMBOGENECITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH INCREASED PLATELET TURNOVER AND VASCULAR DAMAGE

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (6) , 1369-1375
Abstract
Platelet turnover was increased when platelets interacted with prosthetic surfaces and damaged vessel wall. To determine whether the resulting increase in young platelets was associated with an increased tendency to thrombosis, a state of increased platelet turnover was induced in rabbits by inserting a sterile cannula into the abdominal aorta and tested for platelet thrombogenecity by measuring the deposition of circulating platelets onto a 2nd injury site in the carotid arteries. Platelet half-life was decreased and platelet turnover was increased after the aortic cannulation, although the circulating platelet count remained unchanged. Platelet thrombogenecity determined 20 h after cannulation was significant decreased when compared to sham-operated animals. Ear bleeding studies demonstrated that the platelets circulating in cannulated animals were hemostatically less effective than those in sham-operated animals. This effect was intrinsic to the platelet and was associated with a platelet function defect. Apparently platelets exposed to a damaged or foreign surface interact with the surface and then circulate in a less reactive state.