Platelet aggregometry has been the reference method employed to detect, diagnose,
and monitor qualitative platelet disorders since the early 1960s. Lumiaggregometry
and impedance-based whole blood lumiaggregometry have advantages over light transmittance
aggregometry in that they provide for enhanced specimen management and increase the
test sensitivity to impairment of platelet granule secretion. Whole blood lumiaggregometry
detects and identifies congenital and acquired platelet plasma membrane receptor defects,
metabolic pathway secretion disorders, and storage pool deficiency. Whole blood lumiaggregometry
is also being applied to antiplatelet therapy monitoring and identifies aspirin and
thienopyridine resistance. There is growing interest in using impedance-based whole
blood lumiaggregometry for near-patient whole blood platelet analysis and antiplatelet
therapy monitoring. This article will also discuss other whole blood testing processes
for assessing platelet function, particularly as applied to assessing the effect of
antiplatelet medication.
Agonist - impedance-based whole blood aggregometry - lumiaggregometry - von Willebrand
disease - platelet plasma membrane defects - platelet metabolic pathway defects -
platelet secretion defects - aspirin-like disorder - storage pool disorder - antiplatelet
therapy - aspirin resistance - thienopyridine resistance
