The effect of red blood cells on thrombin generation.
We have developed an assay of thrombin generation in clotting whole blood. Because our goal was to study patients with red blood cell diseases that are associated with thrombosis, the initial evaluation of this assay analysed the effect of the haematocrit and haemolysate on the total amount of thrombin activity generated and the maximal concentration of thrombin achieved. Both of these parameters were proportional to the haematocrit throughout a wide range of clinically relevant cell concentrations. Red cell lysate also augmented thrombin generation. Because this effect was removed by filtration of the lysate, we propose that it was related to red cell microparticles.
Horne
McDonald K
MK
Hematology Service, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Warren G. Magnuson Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. mhorne@mail.cc.nih.gov
Cullinane
Ann M
AM
Merryman
Paula K
PK
Hoddeson
Elizabeth K
EK
D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000502:physiology; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests / Q000379:methods; D019355:Calcium Citrate / Q000494:pharmacology; D002474:Cell-Free System / Q000502:physiology; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006461:Hemolysis; D006801:Humans; D010976:Platelet Count; D013917:Thrombin / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D013917:Thrombin; D019355:Calcium Citrate