[Influence of temperature on shear induced platelet aggregation in vitro (author's transl)]

The extent of platelet aggregation (PA) in vitro was investigated in relation to the temperature. The measurements were performed with a newly developed device in which PA is induced by a well-defined viscometric flow without addition of specific aggregation promoting agents. It was found that the PA occurs in two phases as related to temperature: at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C there is none and a minimal PA respectively, whereas at room temperature strong PA takes place. It is proposed that these results indicate that both physicochemical mechanisms and the availability of metabolic energy linked with activation of contractile processes are prerequisites for platelet aggregation. The clinical aspects are discussed.