The formation of the platelet thrombus is a direct indicator of the primary hemostatic capacity of patients.
This test is performed under arterial flow conditions using whole blood samples anti-coagulated with benzylsulfonyl-D-ArgPro-4-amidinobenzylamide (BAPA).
BAPA is an anticoagulant that inhibits thrombin and Factor Xa, which blocks the coagulation cascade and allows the PL Chip test to specifically measure platelet thrombus formation (primary hemostasis).
During the test, the blood sample is exposed to arterial shear stresses in the presence of the collagen attached to the surface of the micro-capillary channels, which results in the binding of platelets to collagen in the presence of von Willebrand factor, and therefore the platelet activation.
Platelet activation results in the release of endogenous factors that recruit and activate other platelets and cause them to aggregate, or the formation of a platelet thrombus and its development.
The formation of a platelet thrombus causes obstruction of the microcapillary channels, which increases the flow pressure within the test.
