Changes in platelet volume, morphology and RNA content in subjects treated with haemodialysis

During haemodialysis treatment, blood flows from the body to the extracorporeal circuit and vice versa. In this study, pathophysiological defects in platelets indicated by alterations in RNA content and aberrations in platelet volume and morphology are detected before and during haemodialysis treatment. In subjects receiving haemodialysis treatment, qualitative interpretation of platelet characteristics with application of light microscopic evaluation reveals only 19+/-11 % of platelets with appropriate staining density of the granule-containing cytoplasm. On the contrary, a reference group of apparently healthy subjects shows 70+/-12 % platelets with appropriate staining density of the granule-containing cytoplasm. During haemodialysis treatment, mean values for platelet volume, platelet distribution width and platelet large cell ratio demonstrate a tendency to decrease by 10 %, 11 % and 6 %, respectively, from the mean initial value to the value at t = 150 min. Reduction of the platelet volume parameters just mentioned is hypothesized to be due to platelet degranulation as a result of platelet activation.