Plasma beta-thromboglobulin levels in chronic renal failure patients

Impaired platelet function is commonly recognized in uremia. It is partially improved by dialysis. However, in regular hemodialysis patients (RD), platelet function is not fully evaluated. This study investigated platelet activity in chronic renal failure (CRF) using beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) as a marker. BTG in RD were significantly higher than those in non-dialyzed CRF patients (P less than 0.05), and BTG in non-dialyzed CRF were higher than in normal controls (P less than 0.01). In non-dialyzed CRF, BTG were correlated to serum creatinine value (P less than 0.01). Arteriovenous fistula did not affect BTG. Hemodialysis and direct hemoperfusion with charcoal beads increased BTG but neither peritoneal dialysis nor hemofiltration altered BTG. RD treated over one year showed higher BTG than those treated for less than one year (P less than 0.01). In RD who showed elevated BTG, platelet aggregation and retention rates were depressed and bleeding times were prolonged. These results indicate that BTG can be used as the marker of impaired platelet function in CRF and of the blood compatibility of artificial kidneys.