Platelet function testing: an improved approach utilizing lumi-aggregation and an interactive computer system.

An approach to laboratory testing of platelet function is described that uses an interactive, computer-assisted lumi-aggregation technic. Use of this approach over the past 18 months in the clinical laboratory has improved significantly not only the procurement but also the analysis of aggregation and secretion data. All calculations are printed out automatically following the completion of each run, permitting an entire study to be completed in 60-90 minutes following the preparation of platelet-rich plasma. An internal ATP standard used in each run helps minimize apparent variations in platelet ATP secretion resulting from variations in the luciferin-luciferase measuring system itself. The simultaneous monitoring of platelet aggregation and secretion provides a much-improved opportunity for the assessment of secretory defects than does study of aggregation curves alone. The present work provides a simple, efficient approach to platelet lumi-aggregation testing in the clinical laboratory.