Changes in spontaneous platelet aggregation induced by the ambient temperature
Taccola, A.; Gotti, G.B.; Zelaschi, G.P.; Pisati, P.; Terzi, R.
Minerva Medica 75(17): 975-980
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-4806 PMID: 6233503 Document Number: 228875
The diagnostic meaning of the functional platelets modifications (particularly those of spontaneous platelet aggregation = P.A.) in cardiovascular pathology has been recalled. It is emphasized that, in order to have significantly predictable data on eventual pathological alterations in case of deviations of values considered normal, one has to use methods that do not differ from the real haemorheological conditions. A research has therefore been made with the purpose to evaluate the influence that variations of temperature may have on the samples collected and left to sediment (for the separation of the PRP) and the subsequent modifications of P.A. The research has been made in double on plasma sedimented at 37 degrees C and at room-temperature on 731 subjects, 289 of which were the casuistic groups for the subsequent statistic elaboration. With similar modalities in other 8 patients the eventual variations in excretion of beta-TG were looked for. The results have shown that there are important variations of the spontaneous P.A. rates, that the difference is always statistically very significant and that lowering the temperature of the samples favors an increase in beta-TG excretion . The Authors think therefore that only the sedimentation at 37 degrees C issues a plasma usefull for the further performing of platelets tests, while in the plasma obtained with sedimentation at room-temperature the platelets are perhaps already stimulated to an activation (and subsequently an aggregation) higher than the real one. Data obtained from a homogeneous group of subjects, healthy from a clinical point of view, allowed to fix the new range of normal values within 3% of aggregability . The mechanisms that lead to such different results are discussed. Emphasis is put on the fact that the spontaneous P.A. determined by the means mentioned seems satisfactorily near to the real clinical conditions. That's why the hypothesis arises that also other tests concerning platelet functions could be negatively influenced if they have room-temperature as a condition for plasma separation.