New possibilities for platelet shape change evaluation using the laser rheoaggregometer.

The study of aggregation functions in blood platelets can at present be undertaken in vitro by measuring variations in intensity of transmitted light or electrical impedance change. These two methods allow only a general approach to the aggregation process. The laser rheoaggregometer was constructed to study early morphological modifications induced when the platelets are activated before aggregation. The results obtained are in keeping with the laws of light scattering and allow the measurement of platelet shape change.