Platelet function investigation by flow cytometry: Sample volume, needle size, and reference intervals

Flow cytometry is an increasingly used method for platelet function analysis because it has some important advantages compared with other platelet function tests. Flow cytometric platelet function analyses only require a small sample volume (3.5 mL); however, to expand the field of applications, e.g., for platelet function analysis in children, even smaller volumes are needed. Platelets are easily activated, and the size of the needle for blood sampling might be of importance for the pre-activation of the platelets. Moreover, to use flow cytometry for investigation of platelet function in clinical practice, a reference interval is warranted. The aims of this work were 1) to determine if small volumes of whole blood can be used without influencing the results, 2) to examine the pre-activation of platelets with respect to needle size, and 3) to establish reference intervals for flow cytometric platelet function assays. To examine the influence of sample volume, blood was collected from 20 healthy individuals in 1.0 mL, 1.8 mL, and 3.5 mL tubes. To examine the influence of the needle size on pre-activation, blood was drawn from another 13 healthy individuals with both a 19- and 21-gauge needle. For the reference interval study, 78 healthy adults were included. The flow cytometric analyses were performed on a NAVIOS flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter, Miami, Florida) investigating the following activation-dependent markers on the platelet surface; bound-fibrinogen, CD63, and P-selectin (CD62p) after activation with arachidonic acid, ristocetin, adenosine diphosphate, thrombin-receptor-activating-peptide, and collagen. The study showed that a blood volume as low as 1.0 mL can be used for platelet function analysis by flow cytometry and that both a 19- and 21-gauge needle can be used for blood sampling. In addition, reference intervals for platelet function analyses by flow cytometry were established.