PLASMA BETA-THROMBOGLOBULIN LEVELS IN CHRONIC-RENAL-FAILURE PATIENTS

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 5  (1) , 54-58
Abstract
Impaired platelet function is commonly recognized in uremia. It is partially improved by dialysis. In regular hemodialysis patients (RD), platelet function is not fully evaluated. Platelet activity in chronic renal failure (CRF) using .beta.-thromboglobulin (BTG) as a marker was investigated. BTG in RD were significantly higher than those in non-dialyzed CRF patients (P < 0.05), and BTG in non-dialyzed CRF were higher than in normal controls (P < 0.01). In non-dialyzed CRF, BTG were correlated to serum creatinine value (P < 0.01). Arteriovenous fistula did not affect BTG. Hemodialysis and direct hemoperfusion with charcoal beads increased BTG, but neither peritoneal dialysis nor hemofiltration altered BTG. RD treated over 1 yr showed higher BTG than those treated for less than 1 yr (P < 0.01). In RD which showed elevated BTG, platelet aggregation and retention rates were depressed and bleeding times were prolonged. BTG apparently can be used as the marker of impaired platelet function in CRF, and of the blood compatibility of artifical kidneys.