Flow Cytometry Assessment of Platelet Phenotype, Function, and Cellular Interactions: Guidelines for Optimization and...

Flow cytometry is an essential laboratory tool for assessing platelet phenotype, function, and cellular interactions. Applications include diagnosing specific platelet disorders (eg, Glanzmann thrombasthenia, Bernard-Soulier syndrome) and thrombocytopenias, monitoring antiplatelet therapy, and various research applications. Key performance considerations involve managing preanalytical variables, careful sample preparation (eg, buffers, stimulation, staining, fixation), comprehensive assay controls, and optimized instrument calibration and data acquisition (eg, trigger, flow rate, scatter transformation). Recent advances in multiparametric and imaging flow cytometry enable identification of distinct platelet subsets.