COMPUTERIZED PLATELET AGGREGOMETRY
One of the commonly used in vitro tests for assessing platelet function is a photodensitometric assay first established by Born. However the collection and analysis of aggregation data are tedious and time consuming. The single- and dual-channel aggregometers have limited utility for the analysis of large numbers of plasma samples in clinical laboratories or in studies on the mode of action of drugs.We now report on a multichannel platelet aggregome-ter system consisting of an IBM XT personal computer and three microprocessor-controlled 4 channel aggregometers. The system collects, displays and analyzes 12 different aggregation curves simultaneously, and - like other computerized systems - (1) significantly increa ses the efficiency and ease in performing the experiment, analyzing and presenting the data; (2) provides systematic storage and rapid retrieval of the data;(3) saves an enormous amount of time; (4) because of multichannel capability eliminates the effects of time-related changes in PRP on the dose-response curves.However our system has some advantages over the computerized aggregometer systems used so far: (1) since the aggregometers contain built in microprocessors they can be utilized to measure and analyse platelet aggregation without being coupled to a computer; (2) a special program helps to check the validity of the calculated parameters under visual control; (3) the individual points of the dose-response curves can be checked at any time during the experiment.