Related Experiment Videos
Effect of heparin on platelet count and platelet aggregation
1Department of Hematology, St. Boniface General Hospital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
American Journal of Hematology
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Heparin can cause increased platelet aggregation and lower platelet counts in patients undergoing hemodialysis or recently treated with heparin. This reaction, potentially immune-mediated, can lead to thrombocytopenia in some individuals.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Immunology
Background:
- Heparin is a widely used anticoagulant.
- Platelet function can be affected by various medical conditions and treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro effect of heparin on platelet aggregation and count.
- To compare these effects in patients on maintenance hemodialysis, recently treated with heparin, and normal controls.
Main Methods:
- Whole blood samples were collected in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and heparinized tubes.
- Platelet counts and aggregation were measured using the Technicon H6000.
- Comparison between EDTA and heparinized samples within three subject groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in platelet count between heparinized and EDTA blood in normal controls.
- Dialysis and recently heparin-treated groups showed significantly lower platelet counts in heparinized tubes compared to EDTA tubes.
- Increased platelet aggregation was observed in heparinized tubes for the dialysis and recently heparin-treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Heparin exposure may induce antibodies or proaggregators leading to platelet aggregation and destruction.
- This heparin-induced reaction can cause thrombocytopenia, although it is severe enough to cause a significant drop in platelet count in only a small percentage of subjects.