[Limits of platelet aggregation tests for investigating thromboses (author's transl)]

Three methods--spontaneous aggregation, ADP-induced aggregation and levels of circulating platelet aggregates--were used to test for platelet hyperaggregation in 87 adult patients divided into three groups. Group A comprised 26 patients with severe arterial diseases, including cerebral vascular accidents (16) and peripheral thrombosis (10) ; group B consisted of 31 patients with venous conditions, including deep phlebitis (22) and recurrent thrombo-embolic disease (9) ; group C, which served as control, comprised 30 patients with various non-vascular disorders. Spontaneous aggregation and enhanced reactivity to ADP correlated well with each other and were more frequent in patients with vascular diseases. However, one-third of patients in group C had pathological results, while one-third of patients in groups A and B had normal results, independently of any clinical particularity or therapeutic regimen. There were no significant differences between the three groups with regard to circulating platelet aggregates. These tests, therefore, appear to be of statistical and epidemiological interest, but of questionable practical value.