Platelet Distribution and Survival in Plasma Clots and Thrombi

Summary

Viscous metamorphosis of platelets in native and sequestrene plasma, before and after thrombin and plasmin action, has been studied. A method for the examination of platelet distribution in plasma clots and tissue paraffin sections is described.

It was found that not all platelets undergo viscous metamorphosis in plasma clots or in intravascular thrombi. Platelets before and after viscous metamorphosis are not digested by plasmin. After plasmin action intact platelets can still undergo viscous metamorphosis and the fibrils which are then produced are not made of fibrin.

Thrombin in the absence of calcium ions will not cause platelets to undergo viscous metamorphosis.

Total blockage of cardiac blood vessels by platelet masses in cases of cardiac infarction is demonstrated. The significance of these findings in relation to blood sludging, and future lines of treatment are discussed.

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