Platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and plateletcrit do not correlate with optical platelet aggregation responses in healthy volunteers.
BACKGROUND
Recent advances in technology have made it possible to record various platelet indices. There have been many reports about platelet indices and platelet disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate whether anatomical indices have a correlation with functional aggregation responses using optical method in healthy adults and to evaluate the predictive significance of platelet indices over platelet aggregation responses.


METHODS
This study was carried on 31 adults whose ages ranging between 20 and 42. Platelet parameters, including platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width and plateletcrit were determined in platelet rich plasma using Abbott Cell-Dyn 4.000. Platelet aggregation was induced by adenosine diphosphate, collagen and epinephrine. Optical aggregation was performed using a turbidometric method.


RESULTS
We have observed no correlation between any of platelet indices measured and platelet aggregation responses.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result, we found no correlation between platelet aggregation responses obtained with optical method and platelet indices proposed as indicators of certain pathologic conditions, and it does not seem possible to use platelet indices as a direct indicator of platelet activation. In conditions where platelet functions should have been assessed, platelet indices alone are inappropriate and further evaluation is necessary with different methods.
Beyan
Cengiz
C
Department of Haematology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, 06010, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey. cbeyan@yahoo.com
Kaptan
Kürşat
K
Ifran
Ahmet
A
D000328:Adult; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000502:physiology*; D010976:Platelet Count; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests