Assessment of Platelet Function in Whole Blood by Flow Cytometry

Abstract

Evaluation of platelet function is important for understanding the physiology of hemostasis and thrombosis and is utilized in clinical practice to diagnose inherited and acquired platelet bleeding disorders. Flow cytometry is a powerful tool for rapid evaluation of multiple functional properties of large number of platelets in whole blood and offers many advantages over other traditional methods. Attention to pre-analytical factors is required to ensure biologically valid and robust results.

Keywords: Activation status; Calcium flux; Flow cytometry; Inherited platelet defects; Platelet-leukocyte aggregates; Platelets; Procoagulant platelets; Whole blood.