Platelet Protocols: Research and Clinical Laboratory Procedures

by Melanie McCabe White, Lisa K. Jennings

Overview

Platelets are fragments of blood cells that occur in the blood of vertebrates and are associated with blood clotting. Scientists have made great strides in recent years in understanding what stimulates platelets to form blood clots at the molecular level and in developing drugs to inhibit platelet action. Their work has a direct effect on millions of people who deal with cardiovascular disease, strokes, surgery, physical trauma, and other conditions. While references to platelet function have been included in some large texts, there has not been a basic reference manual that researchers and clinicians can use in their daily work until now.
Platelet Protocols fills the need for a straightforward and comprehensive laboratory manual on current procedures for evaluating and analyzing platelet function and abnormalities. It is an easy-to-read, understandable resource which can be kept at the bench and referred to frequently by scientists, clinicians, and laboratory staff involved in platelet related areas. Topics range from the basics of anticoagulants to the latest developments in platelet testing.

Includes:

• A basic introduction to platelet anatomy and physiology
• Testing procedures for new anti-platelet therapies
• Descriptions of platelet function abnormalities
• Therapeutic approaches to inhibition of platelet function
• Step-by-step methodologies with clear explanations
• Helpful appendixes of recipes, instructions, sources of reagents, and more

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780080539126
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	04/21/1999
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	116
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

White, Melanie McCabe, BA (Univ of Tennessee-Memphis); Jennings, Lisa K., PhD (Univ of Tennessee-Memphis)

Table of Contents

Basic Introduction to Platelets:Introduction.Platelets in Hemostasis.Membrane Surface Proteins.Events Associated with Platelet Aggregation.Agonists.Coagulation.Laboratory Evaluation of Platelet Function:Introduction.Variables.Drawing and Processing Blood for Platelet Aggregation.Platelet Aggregation and Secretion.Platelet Agonists.Clot Retraction.Functional Abnormalities of Platelets:Introduction.Storage Pool Disorders.Release Defects.Glanzmann's Thrombasthenia.Von Willebrand's Disease.Bernard Soulier Syndrome.Bleeding Time Prolongation.Therapeutic Approaches to Inhibition of Platelet Function and Pharmacodynamic Evaluations:GPIIb-IIIa Antagonists.Other Anti-Platelet Therapies.Drugs That May Affect Platelet Function.Appendix:Recipes for Citrate Based Anticoagulants.Inhibitors Used in Platelet Techniques.Cytoskeletal Preparation and Recipes.Gel-Filtered Platelets.Washed Platelets.Western Blots of Acrylamide Gels Gell and Blot Recipes.Staining of Platelets for Flow Cytometric Analysis.Subject Index.

Editorial Reviews

2 Stars from Doody

This book consists of a basic overview to platelet function in hemostasis, followed by a condensed and simplified section on platelet function methodologies, and very brief and basic sections on functional abnormalities and antiplatelet drugs. The appendix contains instrumental protocols necessary for many of the methods described earlier. This compendium is the result of an effort to compile basic yet important information regarding platelet function and to outline the necessary methods for testing platelet function. Although the same information can be found in greater and more in-depth detail in updated hematology textbooks and more specialized books, this abbreviated manual does provide a concise introduction to the field. The authors' objectives are partially met since many finer aspects of platelet function are not mentioned and the outline of the methods is not detailed enough to serve as a manual. The intended audience is basic science investigators, laboratory staff, and clinicians managing patients in the area of thrombosis and hemostasis. However, this volume may better serve novices to the field of platelet function in thrombosis and hemostasis. Basic science investigators in the field will most likely find this information general, brief, and basic, while clinicians managing thrombosis and hemostasis patients would certainly refer to more detailed and updated publications. Both authors are credible authorities with multiple publications on platelet-related topics. This book represents a compilation of basic platelet pathophysiology as it relates to thrombosis and hemostasis in two chapters, an outline of methods for evaluating platelet function, and a brief review ofsome of the antiplatelet drugs currently used or under development. The appendix contains a useful collection of recipes necessary for certain platelet function methods. The first chapter provides a brief and basic introduction to the field, important in understanding the methodologies and their uses. The pre-analytical variable description in the second part of the book is useful and instrumental for those who wish to reliably carry out any of the platelet-related methods. The subject matter is covered as a basic and concise overview, leaving out details, ongoing research updates, and current trials important to researchers and practitioners in the field. This is a very useful manual for the novice to the field. The descriptions of platelet function and evaluation are condensed and organized to provide a solid, basic understanding of the field within a few pages. However, researchers and clinicians in the area will find the information too basic and not detailed enough for their purposes. For example, a researcher interested in using a flow cytometer for platelet function evaluation will probably refer to the latest article published and/or publications on recent advancements in the use of flow cytometry in platelet function evaluation. Or, a clinician managing a patient with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) would find the information on methods used for platelet function evaluation in HIT and pharmacological management of platelets insufficient at best; the physician would probably refer to recent consensus-type or clinical trial publications or recent publications regarding HIT.

Demetra D. Callas

Reviewer: Demetra D. Callas, PhD (Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: This book consists of a basic overview to platelet function in hemostasis, followed by a condensed and simplified section on platelet function methodologies, and very brief and basic sections on functional abnormalities and antiplatelet drugs. The appendix contains instrumental protocols necessary for many of the methods described earlier.
Purpose: This compendium is the result of an effort to compile basic yet important information regarding platelet function and to outline the necessary methods for testing platelet function. Although the same information can be found in greater and more in-depth detail in updated hematology textbooks and more specialized books, this abbreviated manual does provide a concise introduction to the field. The authors' objectives are partially met since many finer aspects of platelet function are not mentioned and the outline of the methods is not detailed enough to serve as a manual.
Audience: The intended audience is basic science investigators, laboratory staff, and clinicians managing patients in the area of thrombosis and hemostasis. However, this volume may better serve novices to the field of platelet function in thrombosis and hemostasis. Basic science investigators in the field will most likely find this information general, brief, and basic, while clinicians managing thrombosis and hemostasis patients would certainly refer to more detailed and updated publications. Both authors are credible authorities with multiple publications on platelet-related topics.
Features: This book represents a compilation of basic platelet pathophysiology as it relates to thrombosis and hemostasis in two chapters, an outline of methods for evaluating platelet function, and a brief review of some of the antiplatelet drugs currently used or under development. The appendix contains a useful collection of recipes necessary for certain platelet function methods. The first chapter provides a brief and basic introduction to the field, important in understanding the methodologies and their uses. The pre-analytical variable description in the second part of the book is useful and instrumental for those who wish to reliably carry out any of the platelet-related methods. The subject matter is covered as a basic and concise overview, leaving out details, ongoing research updates, and current trials important to researchers and practitioners in the field.
Assessment: This is a very useful manual for the novice to the field. The descriptions of platelet function and evaluation are condensed and organized to provide a solid, basic understanding of the field within a few pages. However, researchers and clinicians in the area will find the information too basic and not detailed enough for their purposes. For example, a researcher interested in using a flow cytometer for platelet function evaluation will probably refer to the latest article published and/or publications on recent advancements in the use of flow cytometry in platelet function evaluation. Or, a clinician managing a patient with Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) would find the information on methods used for platelet function evaluation in HIT and pharmacological management of platelets insufficient at best; the physician would probably refer to recent consensus-type or clinical trial publications or recent publications regarding HIT.

Doody's Review Service