Abstract
Quality control of platelet concentrates (PC) is an important prerequisite for good
transfusion praxis. However, direct measurement of platelet function is complex, since
available methods (e.g. aggregometry, serotonin release) are time consuming and require
special equipment. Therefore a test system is needed, which is easy to handle, fast,
and achieves reliable results. The present paper compares the results of conventional
platelet function tests with those of a modified in-vitro bleeding test (IVBT) (Thrombostat
4000) in liquid-stored and cryopreserved PCs. A high correlation between aggregometry,
serotonin release, GMP 140 expression upon stimulation, and IVBT was demonstrated.
Therefore IVBT seems to be a good alternative to the conventional platelet function
tests for quality control of PCs. In addition, a good correlation between the results
of IVBT of patients’ blood after PC transfusion and IVBT of patients blood before
transfusion supplemented with platelets of the respective PC could be found. Therefore
IVBT seems to be able to predict PC transfusion success. However, since these data
were obtained in a small sample undergoing bone marrow transplantation, further studies
are needed to verify this hypothesis.
Keywords
platelets - platelet function - Thrombostat - transfusion - bone marrow transplant