Comparison of in vitro closure time (PFA-100) with whole blood electrical aggregometry and platelet surface antigen expression in healthy volunteers

Dual anticoagulant/antiplatelet persulfated small molecules

A new series of persulfated compounds was synthesized and assayed for in vitro anticoagulant and antiplatelet activities, which may be useful in the treatment of both venous and arterial thrombosis. Persulfation of polyphenolic components of wine, coumarins and other structurally diverse small molecules was achieved with triethylamine-sulphur trioxide adduct. The derivatives were highly effective in increasing the APTT, being trans-resveratrol 3-ß-D-glucopyranoside persulfate (15) the most potent (APTT2=1.5×10(-4) M), and were able to completely block the clotting process at the highest concentration. Compound 15 showed good stability in human plasma and anticoagulation effects in whole blood. trans-Resveratrol 3-ß-D-glucopyranoside persulfate (15) and a series of polysulfated oligoflavonoids (1-4) also exhibited antiplatelet activity by inhibition of arachidonic acid and ADP-induced platelet aggregation.

Flavonoids with an oligopolysulfated moiety: a new class of anticoagulant agents

Polysulfated (oligo)flavonoids were synthesized and assayed for their in vitro and in vivo anticoagulant activities. The approach was based on molecular hybridization of two classes of anticoagulants, sulfated polysaccharides and sulfated flavonoids. The synthesis was optimized using microwave-assisted sulfation with triethylamine-sulfur trioxide. The obtained polysulfated flavonosides were highly effective in increasing clotting times and able to completely block the clotting process, in contrast to their corresponding aglycones. The thromboelastography proved that polysulfated flavonosides possess good whole blood anticoagulation activity. The following structure-activity relationships were found: 3-O-rutinosides (10, 13) were direct inhibitors of FXa, while 7-O-rutinosides (7, 8) showed inhibition of FXa by ATIII activation. Furthermore, compounds 7 and 13 were stable in plasma and active in vivo and preliminary toxicity studies would lead us to rule out acute side effects. From the overall results, the polysulfated flavonosides showed the potential as new effective and safe agents for anticoagulant therapy.

Variables influencing Multiplate™ whole blood impedance platelet aggregometry and turbidimetric platelet aggregation in healthy individuals

We investigated the relationship between impedance platelet aggregometry (IPA) as measured by the Multiplate system and turbidimetric platelet aggregation (TPA) induced by ADP, arachidonic acid (AA), and collagen; blood cell counts; platelet function analyzer (PFA-100) closure times (CT), and von Willebrand factor (VWF) in 120 well-characterized healthy individuals. Pre-analytical and analytical conditions were standardized comprehensively. Analytical reliability of IPA and TPA and the influence of pre-analytical variables on assay results were also examined. IPA and TPA did not change significantly between 0.5 and 5 hours after blood collection when samples were stored at room temperature. TPA and IPA showed significantly greater intra-assay imprecision than respective TPA induced by the same agonists. Intra-individual variation did not differ significantly between IPA and TPA. The lower limits of reference range (2.5th percentiles) of AAIPA, ADPIPA and collagen IPA determined AM were 37, 20 and 40 AU, respectively. ADPIPA showed significantly lower maximum aggregation values than AAIPA and collagen IPA (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences in any parameter between males and females. No significant differences between blood group 0 and non-0 individuals were noted with respect to IPA and TPA. IPA did not change significantly during the day. In contrast, TPA measured PM was significantly lower than corresponding values determined a.m. (p < 0.0001). CEPI-CT, CADP-CT and leukocyte counts increased significantly from a.m. to p.m. (P = 0.008 and P > 0.0001, respectively). Donors had significantly greater IPA induced by any agonist than non-donors (P-values < 0.0001, 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively), whereas TPA was not significantly different between donors and non-donors. IPA did not correlate significantly with TPA nor with PFA-100 CT. ADPIPA and collagen IPA correlated significantly with platelet count. TPA was not associated with platelet count. An inverse significant correlation was observed between TPA induced by any agonist and leukocyte count, whereas leukocyte count did not influence IPA. CEPI-CT and CADP-CT correlated significantly with VWF:CBA and with each other but not with TPA. We concluded that IPA and TPA measure different aspects of platelet function. IPA results reflect interactions between platelets, red and white cells, while TPA does not. This explains discrepancies in associations of IPA and TPA with cell counts, time of day and blood donation. The clinical significance of IPA determined using the Multiplate device remains to be determined in studies on patients with platelet dysfunction and under treatment with antiplatelet agents.

Quality assessment of platelet rich plasma during anti-platelet therapy

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is being used with increased frequency in many surgical procedures for its known benefits of accelerated surgical wound site healing. Speculations in its efficacy in the presence of anti-platelet therapy have been proposed. To aid in defining a quality platelet rich plasma product in the presence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate), we investigated three (3) groups (n = 18) of cardiac surgical patients receiving PRP. Platelet function test, platelet concentration, and quantification of growth factors (PDGF-bb and TGF-b1) were evaluated. Results showed no statistical evidence of decreased growth factors delivered to the surgical wound site in the presence of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and/or Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate). Evidence in this pilot study supports the use of PRP for patients receiving Plavix and aspirin therapy without compromising the quantity of specific growth factors delivered to a wound site.

Platelet function in whole-blood donors is impaired: the effects of painkillers

BACKGROUND

Aspirin (ASA) or non-aspirin-like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) influence platelet (PLT) function by inhibiting cyclooxygenase enzymes. In this study, the aim was to address the use of ASA or NSAIDs before donation and the effect on PLT function.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Donors were asked questions about recent use of ASA or NSAIDs. Furthermore, PLT function was evaluated by measurement of the closure time (CT) in a PLT function analyzer (PFA-100, Dade Behring) and by aggregometry (response to ADP or arachidonic acid [AA]).

RESULTS

Of 100 questioned donors, 22 percent had used ASA (n = 4), NSAIDs (n = 6), or paracetamol (n = 12) before donation. Upon assessment of the PLT function in the PFA-100, 27 donors showed values of greater than 180 seconds, indicative of impaired PLT function. Of these, only 7 had used pain killers before donation. Furthermore, 15 of 22 users had normal CTs. Aggregation after stimulation with AA was absent in 33 PLT-rich samples. Again only 8 had reported use of ASA (3), NSAIDs (1), or paracetamol (4). Of the 22 users, 14 had normal AA aggregation responses. All donor samples showed ADP-induced aggregation, indicating PLT integrity. There was no difference between the group of donors who reported the intake of ASA or NSAIDs and the group of donors who did not with respect to the tested PLT function assays.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded that there is a considerable group of donors that use PLT-influencing medication before donation. A relation between the reported use and impaired PLT function in blood donors could not be established, however. Impaired PLT function as tested may have other causes than intake of ASA or NSAIDs.

Limited usefulness of the PFA-100 for the monitoring of ADP receptor antagonists--in vitro experience

We have evaluated the usefulness of the PFA-100 system (collagen/ADP and collagen/epinephrine cartridges) to assess the in vitro effects of a few platelet function inhibitors: Aspisol (60 microg/ml), 4-[4-[4-(aminoiminomethyl]-1-piperazinyl]-1-piperidineactetic acid, hydrochloride trihydrate (GR144053F, fibrinogen receptor antagonist, 100 nM), adenosine-3',5'-diphosphate (A3P5P, P2Y1 ADP receptor antagonist, 500 microM) and Bis[(adenosine-5'-O-phosphorodithioyl)methylene]-phosphinic acid (APTMPA, P2Y12 ADP receptor antagonist, 500 microM) on platelet function, as compared with the other commonly used diagnostic technique, a whole blood electrical aggregometry (20 microM ADP or 0.5 mM arachidonic acid). The in vitro studies were carried out on a group of 38 subjects. Whereas all the examined platelet antagonists and inhibitors almost completely blocked the 20 microM ADP- or 0.5 mM arachidonic acid-induced (in the case of acetylsalicylic acid) whole blood aggregation, only two inhibitors (Aspisol and GR144053F) remained effective in a significant prolongation of the PFA-100 occlusion time. Otherwise, using the PFA-100 system we were not able to detect the inhibitory actions of ADP receptor antagonists- P2Y1 and P2Y12. Our findings point to a limited usefulness of the PFA-100 system for the monitoring of the effectiveness of ADP receptor antagonists. The outcomes of this study show that platelet aggregometry in whole blood is characterised by the highest sensitivity in the monitoring of the investigated blood platelet inhibitors.

In vitro aspirin resistance detected by PFA-100 closure time: pivotal role of plasma von Willebrand factor

The in vitro closure time (CT), determined by the Platelet Function Analyzer (PFA-100), is used to monitor patients treated with aspirin. A relatively high percentage of in vitro aspirin resistance was reported despite an adequate inhibition of platelet response to arachidonic acid and we investigated whether high plasma levels of von Willebrand factor ristocetin cofactor activity (vWF:RCo) may contribute to this profile. Platelet aggregation test, CT [collagen adrenaline (CEPI-CT) and collagen adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP) (CADP-CT)], and vWF:RCo levels were evaluated in 55 consecutive patients receiving aspirin (75-250 mg/d) versus 32 untreated control subjects. All the aspirin-treated patients showed platelet aggregation responses that reflected the aspirin intake. However, CT data analysis enabled aspirin good-responder (GR) and aspirin bad-responder (BR) patients to be identified. All GR group subjects (n = 27), had a CEPI-CT and a CADP-CT longer than 300 s and 96 s respectively. The BR group (n = 28) had CEPI-CT values below 200 s and all CADP-CT were in the normal range (77 +/- 19 s). Interestingly, the BR plasma vWF:RCo levels were significantly higher (159 +/- 43%) than those of the GR group (121 +/- 34%) (P < 0.01), which were similar to control values (114 +/- 31%). A negative correlation between vWF:RCo and CT values was established. We demonstrate that in vitro aspirin-resistance, revealed by PFA-100 CT prolongation failure, is correlated to increased plasmatic vWF:RCo levels, reinforcing its particular importance in PFA-100 cartridges performance.

Utility of in vitro closure time test for evaluating platelet-related primary hemostasis in dialysis patients

BACKGROUND

The platelet aggregation and skin bleeding time (SBT) tests currently used for assessment of hemostasis impairment in dialysis patients have important disadvantages. The authors explored the utility of a novel in vitro closure time test (PFA-100, platelet function analyzer) in which the process of platelet adhesion and aggregation after vascular injury is simulated in vitro in dialysis patients.

METHODS

Thirty-four long-term dialysis patients were included in the study with 30 healthy volunteers as the control group. In vitro closure time was compared with results from the platelet aggregation and SBT tests.

RESULTS

In vitro closure time identified more patients and fewer controls with hemostasis impairment. In the patient group, 60%, 40%, and 20%, and in the control group, 0%, 10% and 3% of persons were found to have hemostasis impairment as determined by in vitro closure time, platelet aggregation, and SBT, respectively. In addition, values for patients and controls were significantly different for in vitro closure time (P < 0.05) but not for platelet aggregation or SBT. Thus, closure time appears to be more sensitive and specific than the other 2 tests. No correlation was found between the 3 tests, either in patients or in controls. However, a high correlation (r = 0.73; P < 0.0001) was found between the 2 types of in vitro closure time test (collagen/epinephrine [CEPI] and collagen/adenosine diphosphate [CADP]) in patients and controls.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate that in vitro closure time can be a useful test for detecting platelet-related primary hemostasis defects in dialysis patients.

Resistance to aspirin in vitro at rest and during exercise in patients with angiographically proven coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND

Acetylsalicylic acid, or aspirin, is widely used in secondary prevention of coronary artery diseases, but the inhibition of platelet aggregation is not uniform in all individuals.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence of aspirin resistance at rest and during exercise in coronary artery disease patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty patients with stable coronary artery disease were prospectively studied. All patients received aspirin (75-300 mg/day for >1 month) and no other antiplatelet therapy. Aspirin resistance was studied, at rest and immediately after a stress test, using the standardized platelet function analyzer (PFA-100(R), Dade-Behring). Aspirin resistance was defined as a normal collagen/epinephrine closure time (<186 s).

RESULTS

Ten patients (20%) were aspirin-resistant at rest. Out of the 40 patients who were aspirin-sensitive at rest, 9 (22%) were aspirin-resistant immediately after the exercise stress test. There were no differences in aspirin sensitivity regarding gender, age, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, platelet count, medical treatment or number of the coronary arteries involved.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin resistance is detected, at rest, in 20% of our patients with stable coronary artery disease. Aspirin treatment does not seem to protect against exercise-induced platelet activation in 22% of such patients, despite aspirin sensitivity at rest.