Characterization of Shear Stress Mediated Platelet Dysfunction: Data from an Ex Vivo Model for Extracorporeal Circulation and a Prospective Clinical Study

Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is frequently used in intensive care patients with impaired lung or cardiac function. Despite being life-saving therapeutic option, ECC is associated with increased risk for both bleeding and thrombosis. The management of bleeding and thromboembolic events in ECC patients is still challenging partly due to the lack of information on the pathophysiological changes in hemostasis and platelet function during the procedure. Using a combination of an ex vivo model for shear stress and a sensitive and easy-to-use laboratory method we analyzed platelet responsiveness during ECC. After shear stress simulation in an ex vivo closed-loop ECC model we found a significantly decreased response of alpha granules after activation with ADP and TRAP-6 and CD63 expression after activation with TRAP-6. Mepacrine uptake was also significantly reduced in the ex vivo shear stress model. In the same line, platelets from patients under ECC with venovenous systems and venoarterial systems showed impaired CD62P degranulation after stimulation with ADP and TRAP-6 compared to healthy control on day 1, 6 and 10 after implantation of ECC. However, no correlation between platelet degranulation and the occurrence of bleeding or thromboembolic events was observed. The used whole Blood flow cytometry with immediately fixation after drawing introduces a sensitive and easy-to-use method to determine platelet activation status and our data confirm that increased shear stress conditions under ECC can cause impaired degranulation of platelet.