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Updated: Jun 21, 2025
Microfluidics in Assessing Platelet Function
Published on: November 8, 2024
Marijuana may lead to increased platelet activity in trauma patients
Danielle F Tanner1, Joel G Eastes1, Emily A Reeson1
1Creighton University School of Medicine Phoenix Regional Campus, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ USA, USA.
Introduction:
Delta-9-tetraydrocannabinol (THC) usage is associated with venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in trauma patients. We hypothesized that THC + trauma patients would have less platelet inhibition than THC - patients using thromboelastography with platelet mapping (TEG-PM).
Methods:
Results from initial TEG- PM assays and patient's UDS were reviewed between 2019 and 2023. Mean levels of arachidonic acid (AA) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) percent inhibition were compared by THC status.
Results:
793 patients had TEG-PM and UDS data. Mean levels of arachidonic acid (AA) percentage inhibition were 32.6 ± 34.2. AA inhibition was lower for THC + vs THC- patients (THC+ 23.9 ± 27.0 vs THC- 34.3 ± 35.3, P < 0.001). There was no association between THC status and ADP inhibition (THC+ 32.5 ± 27.1 vs THC- 30.8 ± 28.4, P = 0.536).
Discussion:
To our knowledge, our data are the first to suggest a clinically measurable increase in platelet reactivity in THC + trauma patients. More work is needed to determine if addition of aspirin to the chemoprophylaxis strategy for THC + patients would mitigate the known association of THC with VTE.
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