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Platelet Aggregation

Turbidimetric Measurements

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Book cover Platelets and Megakaryocytes

Part of the book series: Methods In Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 272))

Abstract

Of all the functional responses of platelets, aggregation is probably the mostly widely investigated. This is for two main reasons. First, the pathophysiological processes of most interest to medical scientists studying platelets are hemostasis and arterial thrombosis: the formation of hemostatic plugs and occlusive thrombi. As both of these events directly involve the clumping of platelets, aggregation presents itself to us as a functional response of singular clinical relevance. This is reflected in the fact that antiplatelet and antithrombotic drugs are characterized essentially as antiaggregatory agents. Whether this emphasis on aggregation is justified is a subject for another occasion; however, the central role of aggregometry in the academic study of platelet function and the pharmaceutical development of novel therapeutic agents is undeniable.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Gavin E. Jarvis

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  1. Gavin E. Jarvis
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Animal and Microbial Sciences, The University of Reading, Reading, UK

    Jonathan M. Gibbins

  2. Department of Physiology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK

    Martyn P. Mahaut-Smith

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© 2004 Humana Press Inc.

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Jarvis, G.E. (2004). Platelet Aggregation. In: Gibbins, J.M., Mahaut-Smith, M.P. (eds) Platelets and Megakaryocytes. Methods In Molecular Biology™, vol 272. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-782-3:065

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-782-3:065

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-101-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-782-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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