Background. Today there are many devices that can be used to study blood clotting disorders by identifying abnormalities in blood platelets. The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System is an automated microchip flow chamber system that is used for the quantitative analysis of clot formation under blood flow conditions. For several years, researchers have been using a tool to analyse various clinical situations of patients to identify the properties and biochemical processes occurring within platelets and their microenvironment. Methods. An investigation of recent published literature was conducted based on PRISMA. This review includes 52 science papers directly related to the use of the Total Clot Formation Analysis System in relation to bleeding, surgery, platelet function assessment, anticoagulation monitoring, von Willebrand factor and others. Conclusion. Most available studies indicate that The Total Thrombus Formation Analysis System may be useful in diagnostic issues, with devices used to monitor therapy or as a significant tool for predicting bleeding events. However, T-TAS not that has the potential for diagnostic indications, but allows the direct observation of the flow and the interactions between blood cells, including the intensity and dynamics of clot formation. The device is expected to be of significant value for basic research to observe the interactions and changes within platelets and their microenvironment.
Ischemic stroke is a disease related to abnormal blood flow that leads to brain dysfunction. The early and late phases of the disease are distinguished. A distinction is made between the early and late stages of the disease, and the best effect in treating an ischemic stroke is usually achieved within the first hours after the onset of symptoms. This review looked at studies platelet activity monitoring studies to determine the risks and benefits of various approaches including antiplatelet therapy. A study was conducted on recently published literature based on PRISMA. This review includes 32 research articles directly addressing the importance of monitoring platelet function during antiplatelet therapy (dual or monotherapy) after ischemic stroke. In patients with transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke, antiplatelet therapy can reduce the risk of stroke by 11–15%, assuming that patients respond well. Secondary prevention results are dependent on platelet reactivity, meaning that patients do not respond equally to antiplatelet therapy. It is very important that aspirin-resistant patients can benefit from the use of dual antiplatelet therapy. The individualized approach to secondary stroke prevention is to administer the most appropriate drug at the correct dose and apply the optimal therapeutic procedure to the individual patient.
Background: Previous studies have revealed that high platelet reactivity while on clopidogrel may affect the severe course and worse prognosis of ischemic stroke. However, the above findings were based on a single measurement of platelet function. We aimed to investigate whether the dynamics of platelet reactivity over time would more accurately determine its actual impact on clinical outcome. Methods: We enrolled 74 ischemic stroke subjects, taking a dose of 75 mg a day of clopidogrel to this prospective, single-center, and observational study. The determination of platelet function was based on the impedance aggregometry 6–12 h after the first dose of clopidogrel and 48 h later. We defined a favorable dynamics of platelet reactivity as a decrease in values at least equal to the median obtained in the entire study. The clinical condition was assessed by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale on the first, third, and ninetieth days and the functional status by modified Rankin Scale, respectively. Results: A favorable dynamics of platelet reactivity was associated with the mild clinical condition and favorable functional status, both early and late. Early neurological deterioration was related to unfavorable dynamics of platelet reactivity over time. In multivariate regression models, we found that unfavorable dynamics of platelet reactivity, alone and combined with a high baseline value of platelet reactivity, is an independent predictor of a severe clinical condition, the risk of deterioration, and poor early and late prognosis. Conclusion: We highlighted that dynamics of platelet reactivity over time predict the clinical course and prognosis of stroke better than a single value.