Comparing techniques: the use of recalcified plasma in comparisonwith citrated plasma alone and in combination with thrombin in ultrastructuralstudies

Abstract

Fibrin plays a vital role in the coagulation process and fibrin fiber morphologycan be studied using ultrastructural techniques. When studying the ultrastructureof fibrin networks, thrombin may be added to the plasma, ensuing fibrin networkformation. The question that arises is whether there are differences in morphologywhen thrombin is added to plasma, versus morphology observed when plasma fromcitrated or recalcified citrated whole blood, is studied. The current studytherefore aimed to compare ultrastructure of platelets and fibrin networksfrom these three techniques. Results indicated comparable platelet ultrastructurebetween smears formed from the plasma of citrated blood and that of the citratedrecalcified blood. This method might give us further information regardingthe ‘natural state’ fibrin assembly and association with platelets,when studying haemostasis. However, when studying the ultrastructure of fibrinnetworks, the addition of thrombin is necessary to form an expansive, fullycoagulated layer of fibrin fibers.