Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Turbidimetry on Human Washed Platelets: The Effect of the Pannexin1-inhibitor Brilliant Blue FCF on Collagen-induced Aggregation
Published on: April 6, 2017
Platelet glass bead retention predicts bleeding after cardiac surgery
M H Ereth1, G A Nuttall, D G Ericson
1Department of Anesthesiology, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Objective:
To determine if the platelet glass bead retention assay can predict bleeding after cardiac surgery.
Design:
Prospective, observational study.
Setting:
Large, tertiary care, academic medical center.
Participants:
Forty-three adult patients scheduled to undergo elective cardiac surgery employing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).
Measurements And Main Results:
Whole blood samples were observed for platelet count, prothrombin time, and platelet (glass bead) retention assay. The platelet retention and prothrombin times were independent univariant and multivariant predictors of bleeding after CPB (r = 0.554, p = 0.0002 and r = 0.655, p = 0.00001).
Conclusion:
The platelet glass bead retention assay measures dynamic platelet function and is sensitive to the CPB-induced adhesion and aggregation defect and correlates with postoperative blood loss. Modification of this platelet function assay used with the prothrombin time may provide a simple and effective diagnostic approach to bleeding after CPB.
Related Concept Videos
Structure and Function of Platelets
Platelets are continually replenished, circulating in the bloodstream for 9-12 days before being removed by phagocytes, primarily in the spleen. A microliter of circulating blood contains between 150,000 and 450,000 platelets, with...
Formation of the Platelet Plug
As the injured blood vessel contracts, endothelial cells undergo contraction, revealing collagen fibers in the basement membrane and underlying connective tissue. Furthermore, the plasma membrane of endothelial cells becomes adhesive, preparing the site for platelet adhesion. Platelets...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

