[Adhesion and aggregation in the subendothelium: hereditary platelet function disorder]

Platelet adhesion to a thrombogenic surface and adhesion-induced aggregation were investigated using a perfusion system at a blood flow rate similar to that observed in arteries. Morphometric measurements revealed diminished adhesion of platelets but normal surface-induced aggregation with blood of patients with von Willebrand's disease and with Bernard-Soulier syndrome. In contrast, surface-induced aggregation was defective with blood of patients with storage pool disease, thrombasthenia and with blood of healthy volunteers after Aspirin ingestion. These findings may explain the defective hemostasis in these patients. They suggest that platelet adhesion and aggregation are governed by different mechanisms.