LE3 .A278 2018

2018

Easy, Russell
Geske, Jon

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

The role of platelets is vital to human health and a very important factor in clinical settings. People who suffer from coagulation disorders are at an increased risk when undergoing surgical procedures. The primary objective of this investigation was to explore how platelets in human blood could be observed and quantified using thromboelastography. Whole blood donations from human volunteers were collected using venipuncture. Platelet counts were varied in order to determine sensitivity of the thromboelastographic instrument to platelet activity. Platelet inhibitors acetylsalicylic acid, theophylline, cytochalasin D, and eptifibatide acetate were used to measure a decrease in platelet activity. Platelet agonists adenosine diphosphate and fibrinogen were used to increase platelet activity above normal physiological levels, which was then observed through thromboelastographic parameters. Inhibitors that targeted pathways involved in primary coagulation were used to test proportional decrease in clot strength when inhibitor concentration was increased. Detection of a decrease in platelet activity was successful, however increases were not observed. The results suggest that the response of platelet-rich plasma to platelet agonists is not directly measurable through thromboelastography. The present research will provide methodologies for measuring coagulation conditions in human blood. Thus, providing more information on the relatively new technology of thromboelastography can open doors to better treatment.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:2647