Abstract
Platelet function plays an integral role in hemostasis and in the biological response to vascular injury. A basic understanding of platelet physiology allows physicians to treat the consequences of abnormal platelet function, monitor and modify it as needed throughout a patient’s care. In the setting of acute hemorrhage, an assessment of platelet function may determine the need for reversal of anticoagulation agents or correction of bleeding diatheses. On the other hand, commonly used therapeutic anticoagulation during or post-intervention may be monitored using point-of-care assays that evaluate platelet function. This chapter aims to provide a brief overview of normal platelet function, as well as a summary of the various tests and point-of-care function assays that have been developed to aid in the monitoring of platelet function, diagnosis of abnormal function, and maintenance of therapeutic anticoagulation.
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Li, D., Hassaneen-Mostafa, W., Tsimpas, A. (2016). Overview, Measurement and Point-of-Care Testing of Platelet Function. In: Loftus, C. (eds) Anticoagulation and Hemostasis in Neurosurgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27327-3_5
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