COMPUTERIZED PLATELET AGGREGOMETRY

One of the commonly used in vitro tests for assessing platelet function is a photodensitometric assay first established by Born. However the collection and analysis of aggregation data are tedious and time consuming. The single- and dual-channel aggregometers have limited utility for the analysis of large numbers of plasma samples in clinical laboratories or in studies on the mode of action of drugs.

We now report on a multichannel platelet aggregome-ter system consisting of an IBM XT personal computer and three microprocessor-controlled 4 channel aggregometers. The system collects, displays and analyzes 12 different aggregation curves simultaneously, and - like other computerized systems - (1) significantly increa ses the efficiency and ease in performing the experiment, analyzing and presenting the data; (2) provides systematic storage and rapid retrieval of the data;(3) saves an enormous amount of time; (4) because of multichannel capability eliminates the effects of time-related changes in PRP on the dose-response curves.

However our system has some advantages over the computerized aggregometer systems used so far: (1) since the aggregometers contain built in microprocessors they can be utilized to measure and analyse platelet aggregation without being coupled to a computer; (2) a special program helps to check the validity of the calculated parameters under visual control; (3) the individual points of the dose-response curves can be checked at any time during the experiment.