Performance characteristics and clinical evaluation of an in vitro bleeding time device--Thrombostat 4000

The performance characteristics of an in vitro bleeding time device--Thrombostat 4000 were evaluated and compared with the Simplate bleeding time in healthy individuals and patients with disorders of primary hemostasis. Reference ranges were established using 30 normal volunteers. Although there were variations between different filter batches, reproducibility was good within a single batch. There were no differences between the two channels of the instrument and between male and female subjects. Hematocrit correlated negatively with the initial flow (IF) and IF correlated positively with closure time (T) and bleeding volume (V). Aspirin could be detected only when the traditional addition of ADP was replaced with CaCl2. Both, closure time (T) or bleeding volume (V) were more sensitive than Simplate bleeding time and T was more sensitive than V in detecting patients with disorders of primary hemostasis. We conclude that the Thrombostat 4000 is a reproducible, reliable, sensitive and easy to use instrument. It is superior to the traditional in vivo bleeding times for investigations of disorders of primary hemostasis (screening, diagnosis, monitoring, etc.).

Biocompatibility issues in hemodialysis

Hemodialysis, as a life-saving treatment modality for uremic patients, implies a repeated and compulsory contact of blood with foreign materials. As a consequence, biocompatibility problems are unavoidable. The same applies for the material used for the creation of vascular access, and for the alternative dialysis method, CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis), although each system might cause its own and specific problems. Although in early dialysis the focus has been on maintenance of life and elimination of toxins, later on the important morbid implications of this lack of biocompatibility have been recognized. Eight major problems will be discussed, especially in the perspective of recent new findings in this field: (1) coagulation and clotting; (2) complement and leukocyte activation; (3) susceptibility to infection; (4) leaching or spallation; (5) surface alterations of solid materials; (6) allergic reactions; (7) shear; (8) transfer of compounds from contaminated dialysate. After description of the major biochemical and clinical implications of these problems, ways to prevent morbid events and future perspectives will be described.