Activation of platelets in the venous occlusion test

Plasma samples were obtained from healthy subjects before and after the venous occlusion test. In the post-occlusion samples, there was a significantly increased concentration of beta-thromboglobulin and factor XII, as well as a shortening of the activated partial thromboplastin time, indicating that an activation of the coagulation system takes place during the period of venous occlusion. This finding may have implications for the laboratory evaluation of platelet function as well as in the pathophysiology of occlusive vascular disorders.