Kits Provide Complete Hematology Profile

New point-of-care (POC) kits provide a complete hematology profile, including a standard blood count (CBC) with platelet count plus platelet aggregation.

Aggregation testing is based on performing a platelet count before and after intentional platelet activation, using either collagen or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) as the agonist. The procedure is simple and no special sample preparation is required. A 1.0 ml whole blood sample is added to both a baseline and an agonist reagent tube, which are then run on an analyzer. CBC and aggregation results are available in minutes. Testing can be performed at the patient point of care with excellent correlation to traditional platelet-rich plasma (PRP) aggregation assays.

The Plateletworks kits, developed by Helena Laboratories (Beaumont, TX, USA), determine different aspects of platelet function: total count, percentage aggregation or inhibition, and functional count. The four Plateletworks kits are currently available for processing on the Horiba Abx hematology analyzer. They are simple to use and require no specialized training. Plateletworks are used for pre-surgical screening, monitoring anti-platelet therapies, and determining the most efficient use of transfusion services.

Congenital and acquired conditions, such as liver cirrhosis or drug therapy, can affect platelets and inhibit their function or production. The presence of dysfunctional platelets is thought to contribute to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) bleeding, and other hemorrhagic problems. Without knowing a patient's platelet function it is difficult for physicians to decide upon quantities of blood products and drugs needed to treat the patient's condition. Using Plateletworks, one simple test can rapidly determine both quantitative and qualitative platelet assessments.

In addition to ADP and collagen agonists, Helena Laboratories will soon be offering further Plateletworks tests, including arachidonic acid and Ristocetin, for more precise assessment of drug-induced platelet conditions.



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Helena Laboratories