Assessment of a platelet function analyser in horses: reference range and influence of a platelet aggregation inhibitor.

The research study explored whether a platelet function analyzer designated for humans (PFA-100) could be effectively used to evaluate platelet functions in horses, particularly after the administration of a platelet aggregation inhibitor, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). The results suggested that the device was able to detect ASA-induced platelet dysfunction in the horses.

Research Methodology

• The researchers collected citrated blood samples from 40 healthy horses in order to establish a reference for closure time (CT).
• This closure time was evaluated using cartridges labeled with either collagen-ADP (CT-ADP) or collagen-epinephrine (CT-EPI), which are both compounds that stimulate platelet activation.
• In a separate experiment, CT-ADP and CT-EPI were measured before and 24 hours after oral ASA administration in 12 additional healthy horses.
• The team also determined the sensitivity and specificity of the assessment, critical parameters in validating such diagnostic tools.

Key Findings

• The average closure time with ADP in normal horses was roughly 85.1 seconds, while CT-EPI had much wider range of 158 to over 300 seconds.
• The established reference ranges for CT-ADP and CT-EPI were 60.5-115.9 seconds and 158.5->300 seconds, respectively.
• Administration of ASA significantly prolonged the CT-ADP values from an average of 91.0 seconds to 113.5 seconds.
• Similarly, CT-EPI values were also significantly prolonged after ASA administration.
• The sensitivity and specificity of the ADP cartridges were found to be high, suggesting closure time extended beyond the norm would be strongly indicative of platelet aggregation inhibition.

Conclusion

• The research concluded that the human platelet function analyser, PFA-100, can indeed be used to evaluate platelet function in horses.
• Furthermore, it was capable of effectively detecting platelet aggregation inhibition, thereby indicating its potential usefulness as a diagnostic tool in veterinary practices, particularly in assessing haemostasis in horses.