Platelet retention test

Platelet function test: The test principle of the retention test is that blood flows at a standardized rate through an adherent medium, e.g. a tube containing glass beads. The number of thrombocytes is measured before and after the flow.

Diagnosis of von Willebrand syndrome

Another retention test developed by Wenzel is the so-called "Homburg platelet retention test". A filter made of non-thrombogenic material with interconnected pores through which blood or platelet-rich plasma is pressed is used. The pore structure is selected in such a way that shear forces of varying magnitude are generated, which change in an undulating manner.

Evaluations of this test have shown that the adhesion processes in this type of measurement are probably more physiological than in the original method of "unphysiological" activation of the coagulation cascade by thrombogenic material such as glass or methyl acrylate. The platelet retention test detects the activation of antagonists very well; the results for aggregation inhibitors are less convincing. The platelet-adhesive properties of the von Willebrand factor are particularly sensitive.

1. HA Neumann (2014) The coagulation system. ABW-Science Publishing House GmbH Berlin.