Summary
Viscous metamorphosis of platelets in native and sequestrene plasma, before and after
thrombin and plasmin action, has been studied. A method for the examination of platelet
distribution in plasma clots and tissue paraffin sections is described.
It was found that not all platelets undergo viscous metamorphosis in plasma clots
or in intravascular thrombi. Platelets before and after viscous metamorphosis are
not digested by plasmin. After plasmin action intact platelets can still undergo viscous
metamorphosis and the fibrils which are then produced are not made of fibrin.
Thrombin in the absence of calcium ions will not cause platelets to undergo viscous
metamorphosis.
Total blockage of cardiac blood vessels by platelet masses in cases of cardiac infarction
is demonstrated. The significance of these findings in relation to blood sludging,
and future lines of treatment are discussed.
