Pitfall of Light Transmission Aggregometry-Based Assessment of Platelet Function in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients

The utility of light transmission aggregometry (LTA)-based assessment of platelet function in acute ischemic stroke patients remains controversial. This study aimed to clarify why LTA failed to estimate platelet function in acute ischemic stroke patients.

Using LTA, we evaluated the platelet aggregation abilities of citrated blood samples from 22 acute noncardiogenic ischemic stroke patients prior to treatment and compared them with those of 65 heathy volunteer controls. Platelet counts and mean platelet volumes (MPV) of citrated blood and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) prepared for LTA were evaluated simultaneously. Using a hematology analyzer, we also measured and compared the aggregation-prone properties of platelets in the hematology analysis process between patient and control samples.

Although platelets aggregated more easily and frequently in patient samples (P < .01), the maximum aggregation rate (MA%) of LTA was paradoxically lower in patients than in controls (P < .05). The PRP/citrated blood ratio of platelet counts and MPV were significantly lower in patients than in controls (P < .05).

Our results suggest that MA% of LTA is erroneously displayed as lower values than the actual status in patients with increased platelet aggregation ability such as acute ischemic stroke because activated large platelets are preaggregated and thus decreased in the PRP on LTA.