Effect of Fibrinolysis on Adhesion and Aggregation of Human Platelets

Abstract

SummaryStreptokinase was infused in 7 patients with venous thrombosis. The bleeding time remained unchanged or slightly prolonged and the number of platelets did not decrease. As studied by photometric technique, platelet aggregation after addition of ADP or connective tissue suspension was not consistently changed. Platelet adhesiveness, as tested with Hellem’s whole blood method, was decreased. The platelets showed decreased adhesion and spreading on a glass slide.Addition of streptokinase in vitro to citrated platelet rich plasma in doses of 1,600–7,000 u/ml caused a release reaction after 2–3 min, and the platelets aggregated. Incubation with urokinase impaired adhesion to glass and spreading and slightly diminished aggregation by ADP or connective tissue suspension.Purified split products of D, E or high molecular type in final concentrations of 0.1–2.0 mg/ml did not aggregate platelets or influence aggregation by ADP or connective tissue suspension. A slightly decreased adhesion to glass and spreading occurred only when the doses used were large.The implications of the multifacetted findings are discussed.