Viscoelastic Hemostatic Assays and Platelet Function Testing in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Diseases

• Main Authors: Matej Samoš, Ingrid Škorňová, Tomáš Bolek, Lucia Stančiaková, Barbora Korpallová, Peter Galajda, Ján Staško, Peter Kubisz, Marián Mokáň
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-01-01
• Series: Diagnostics
• Subjects: viscoelastic hemostatic assays; thromboelastometry; thromboelastography; platelet function testing; atherosclerotic vascular disease
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/11/1/143

Platelets play crucial role in acute vascular atherosclerotic diseases, including myocardial infarction and stroke. Additionally, platelet aggregation is a key target of antiplatelet agents, forming the keystone of pharmacotherapy of various atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Thromboelastography and thromboelastometry, representing currently available viscoelastic hemostatic assays (VHA), are designed as whole blood, real-time analyzers of clot formation and clot resolution. These assays could, in theory, overcome some limitations of currently available platelet function testing assays. This article reviews the current experience with the use of VHA for platelet function testing and for monitoring of the response to antiplatelet therapy.