SummaryWe determined changes in platelet aggregability following cardiopulmonary bypass, using optical aggregometry to assess macroaggregation in platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and platelet counting to assess microaggregation both in whole blood and PRP. Hirudin was used as the anticoagulant to maintain normocalcaemia.Microaggregation (%, median and interquartile range) in blood stirred with collagen (0.6 µg/ml) was only marginally impaired following bypass (91 [88, 93] at 10 min postbypass v 95 (92, 96] prebypass; n = 22), whereas macroaggregation (amplitude of response; cm) in PRP stirred with collagen (1.0µg/ml) was markedly impaired (9.5 [8.0, 10.8], n = 41 v 13.4 [12.7,14.3], n = 10; p <0.0001). However, in PRP, despite impairment of macroaggregation (9.1 [8.5, 10.1], n = 12), microaggregation was near-maximal (93 [91, 94]), as in whole blood stirred with collagen. In contrast, in aspirin-treated patients (n = 14), both collagen-induced microaggregation in whole blood (49 [47, 52]) and macroaggregation in PRP (5.1 [3.8, 6.6]) were more markedly impaired, compared with control (both p <0.001).Similarly, in PRP, macroaggregation with ristocetin (1.5 mg/ml) was also impaired following bypass (9.4 [7.2, 10.7], n = 38 v 12.4 [10.0, 13.4]; p <0.0002, n = 20), but as found with collagen, despite impairment of macroaggregation (7.2 [3.5,10.9], n = 12), microaggregation was again near-maximal (96 [93,97]). The response to ristocetin was more markedly impared after bypass in succinylated gelatin (Gelo-fusine) treated patients (5.6 [2.8, 8.6], n = 17; p <0.005 v control), whereas the response to collagen was little different (9.3 v 9.5). In contrast to findings with collagen in aspirin-treated patients, the response to ristocetin was little different to that in controls (8.0 v 8.3). Impairment of macroaggregation with collagen or ristocetin did not correlate with the duration of bypass or the platelet count, indicating that haemodilution is not a contributory factor.In conclusion: (1) Macroaggregation in PRP, as determined using optical aggregometry, is specifically impaired following bypass, and this probably reflects impairment of the build-up of small aggregates into larger aggregates. (2) Impairment of aggregate growth and consolidation could contribute to the haemostatic defect following cardiac surgery.