title: The effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on platelet function in whole blood and platelet concentrates.
abstract: Several studies report that patients who are treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for depression may have increased risk of bleeding, particularly from the gastrointestinal tract. This may be related to low intraplatelet serotonin concentrations. Several blood banks do not store platelets from donors using SSRIs for transfusion, although the possible effects of SSRIs on platelet storage are not documented. We conducted a case-control pilot study of apheresis platelet concentrates prepared from donors using SSRIs (n=8) and from donors without medication (n=10). The platelet concentrates were stored for 5 days. Light transmission aggregometry (LTA), thrombelastography (TEG), and flow cytometric analyses were preformed for in vitro measurements of platelet function. Platelet function and platelet serotonin content were investigated in whole blood and in platelet concentrates stored for up to 5 days. LTA, TEG, and flow cytometric analysis of glycoprotein expression did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. All 18 platelet concentrates performed well according to the standards set for platelet quality in relation to transfusion. Blood donors using SSRIs had significantly lower platelet serotonin compared to blood donors without medication. The results from our pilot study indicate that platelets from donors using SSRIs may be suitable for transfusion after storage for 5 days, but further laboratory and clinical studies are necessary to confirm this.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne-Grete
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Reikvam
authors.forename: Steinar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hustad
authors.forename: Håkon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Reikvam
authors.forename: Torunn Oveland
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Apelseth
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nepstad
authors.forename: Tor Audun
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hervig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D010976:Platelet Count; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D017713:Platelet Transfusion; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013916:Thrombelastography
chemical_list: D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D012701:Serotonin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors