Effects of anticoagulant on pH, ionized calcium concentration, and agonist-induced platelet aggregation in canine platelet-rich plasma

Objective-To compare effects of 3.8% sodium citrate and anticoagulant citrate dextrose solution National Institutes of Health formula A (ACD-A) on pH, extracellular ionized calcium (iCa) concentration, and platelet aggregation in canine platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Sample Population-Samples from 12 dogs. Procedures-Blood samples were collected into 3.8% sodium citrate (dilution, 1:9) and ACD-A (dilution, 1:5). Platelet function, pH, and iCa concentration were evaluated in PRP Platelet agonists were ADP gamma-thrombin, and convulxin; final concentrations of each were 20 mu M, 100nM, and 20nM, respectively. Washed platelets were used to evaluate effects of varying the pH and iCa concentration. Results-Mean pH and iCa concentration were significantly greater in 3.8% sodium citrate PRP than ACD-A PRP Platelet aggregation induced by ADP and gamma-thrombin was markedly diminished in ACD-A PRP compared with results for 3.8% sodium citrate PRP Anticoagulant had no effect on amplitude of convulxin-induced platelet aggregation. In washed platelet suspensions (pH, 74), there were no differences in amplitude of platelet aggregation induced by convulxin or gamma-thrombin at various iCa concentrations. Varying the pH had no effect on amplitude of aggregation induced by convulxin or gamma-thrombin, but the aggregation rate increased with increasing pH for both agonists. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Aggregation of canine platelets induced by ADP and gamma-thrombin was negligible in ACD-A PRP which suggested an increase in extraplatelet hydrogen ion concentration inhibits signaling triggered by these agonists but not by convulxin. Choice of anticoagulant may influence results of in vitro evaluation of platelet function, which can lead to erroneous conclusions. (Am J Vet Res 2009;70:472-477).