Platelet aggregation was studied in three patients during the course of the hemolytic-uremic
syndrome (HUS) when the platelet count was below 100,000/mm3 and after the platelet count had normalized. Platelet aggregation was examined in
response to epinephrine, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and collagen. Aggregation did
not occur in response to epinephrine when the patients were thrombocytopenic but normal
tracings were obtained when the platelet counts had returned to normal. In contrast,
platelet-rich plasma from normal subjects diluted with platelet-poor plasma from patients
to comparable platelet counts, showed normal aggregation responses. This study demonstrates
that platelet aggregation is reduced in the early phase of the HUS.
Keywords
Platelets aggregation - Hemolytic-uremic syndrome