Platelet preparation for function testing in the laboratory and clinic: Historical and practical aspects

• Published in: Research and practice in thrombosis and haemostasis Vol. 3; no. 4; pp. 615 - 625
• Main Authors: Hechler, Béatrice, Dupuis, Arnaud, Mangin, Pierre H., Gachet, Christian
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.10.2019; Elsevier Limited; John Wiley and Sons Inc; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aggregates; Anticoagulants; Blood platelets; Defects; Flow cytometry; hemostasis; Laboratories; Light; Measurement techniques; Methods; Microscopy; Physiology; platelet aggregation; platelet function tests; platelet‐rich plasma; Studies; Tutorial; flow cytometry; hemostasis; platelet‐rich plasma; platelet function tests; platelet aggregation
• ISSN: 2475-0379; 2475-0379
• DOI: 10.1002/rth2.12240

Laboratory tests of platelet function are instrumental in studying platelet physiology and inherited or acquired platelet abnormalities. Light transmission aggregometry, developed in the early 1960s, is still considered the gold standard for the identification and diagnosis of platelet function disorders. Since then, novel techniques have been developed, including flow‐based assays and flow cytometry. In this tutorial, we describe the basic methodologies for the preparation of citrated platelet‐rich plasma and washed platelet suspensions and discuss their respective advantages and limitations as well as important factors to consider to perform high‐quality tests of platelet function. In addition, the methodologies of the main platelet function tests (light transmission aggregation, flow‐based assays, and flow cytometric assays) are described, and their respective strengths and limitations are discussed to assess various aspects of platelet biology.