Platelet hyperactivity in sickle-cell disease: a consequence of hyposplenism.
Platelet function was measured on 29 occasions in 16 adult patients in the asymptomatic steady state of sickle-cell anaemia. There was a significant increase in platelet number and micro-aggregate formation, and a lower aggregation threshold with adenosine diphosphate, compared with 23 healthy controls. Similar changes were found, however, in 12 splenectomised patients without sickle-cell diseases. The platelet hyperactivity of the sickle-cell steady state therefore reflects an increased circulating population of young, metabolically active platelets resulting from previous autosplenectomy.
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000097:blood*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D013156:Splenectomy; D013918:Thrombin Time
D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate