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Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Evaluation of platelet function in dogs with cardiac disease using the PFA-100 platelet function analyzer
Noel Clancey1, Shelley Burton, Barbara Horney
1Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada. n.clancey@groupwise.upei.ca
Insights
Cardiac disease in dogs significantly prolongs platelet closure time (CT), indicating impaired platelet function. The PFA-100 analyzer effectively detects these defects in dogs with murmurs, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Hematology
- Canine Health
Background:
- Cardiac disease can alter platelet function in dogs.
- Evaluating platelet function in various breeds and cardiac conditions is crucial.
- The PFA-100 analyzer offers a method for assessing platelet function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare platelet closure times (CT) in dogs with cardiac murmurs to healthy controls.
- To investigate the impact of specific cardiac conditions on platelet function.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiography was used to identify 39 dogs with cardiac murmurs and turbulent blood flow.
- Dogs were categorized into atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (n=23) and subaortic stenosis (n=9) groups.
- Fifty-eight healthy dogs served as controls; closure times were measured using a PFA-100 analyzer with collagen/ADP cartridges.
Main Results:
- Dogs with cardiac murmurs exhibited significantly prolonged CTs compared to healthy controls (P<.01).
- Valvular insufficiency group: mean CT 81.9±26.3 seconds.
- Subaortic stenosis group: mean CT 71.4±16.5 seconds.
Conclusions:
- The PFA-100 analyzer is valuable for detecting platelet function defects in dogs with cardiac murmurs.
- Platelet hypofunction is notably associated with mitral/tricuspid valvular insufficiency and subaortic stenosis.
- The specific type of turbulent blood flow did not appear to significantly influence platelet hypofunction.
Background:
Cardiac disease has the potential to alter platelet function in dogs. Evaluation of platelet function using the PFA-100 analyzer in dogs of multiple breeds and with a broad range of cardiac conditions would help clarify the effect of cardiac disease on platelets.
Objectives:
The objective of this study was to assess differences in closure time (CT) in dogs with cardiac disease associated with murmurs, when compared with that of healthy dogs.
Methods:
Thirty-nine dogs with cardiac murmurs and turbulent blood flow as determined echocardiographically were included in the study. The dogs represented 23 different breeds. Dogs with murmurs were further divided into those with atrioventricular valvular insufficiency (n=23) and subaortic stenosis (n=9). Fifty-eight clinically healthy dogs were used as controls. CTs were determined in duplicate on a PFA-100 analyzer using collagen/ADP cartridges.
Results:
Compared with CTs in the control group (mean+/-SD, 57.6+/-5.9 seconds; median, 56.5 seconds; reference interval, 48.0-77.0 seconds), dogs with valvular insufficiency (mean+/-SD, 81.9+/-26.3 seconds; median, 78.0 seconds; range, 52.5-187 seconds), subaortic stenosis (71.4+/-16.5 seconds; median, 66.0 seconds; range, 51.5-95.0 seconds), and all dogs with murmurs combined (79.6+/-24.1 seconds; median, 74.0 seconds; range, 48.0-187 seconds) had significantly prolonged CTs (P<.01).
Conclusions:
The PFA-100 analyzer is useful in detecting platelet function defects in dogs with cardiac murmurs, most notably those caused by mitral and/or tricuspid valvular insufficiency or subaortic stenosis. The form of turbulent blood flow does not appear to be an important factor in platelet hypofunction in these forms of cardiac disease.
