Affiliations: Department of Clinical Haemostasiology and Transfusion Medicine, University of Saarland, 6650 Homburg/Saar, Germany | Med. Clinic and Policlinic, Internal Medicine III, University of Saarland, 6650 Homburg/Saar, Germany | Pentapharm Ltd., 4002 Basel, Switzerland
Abstract: In this study adhesivity of leucocytes, neutrophil granulocytes and lymphocytes was compared using 3 different anticoagulants (Li-Heparin, Hirudin, EDTA) in a filtration test. Samples of 10 apparently healthy subjects were used. The filtration rate of leucocytes depends significantly on the anticoagulant (p=0.001). Neutrophil granulocytes, in particular, show a strong adhesivity after use of hirudin. After filtration none of the 10 samples contained neutrophils. After heparin neutrophils were found in 2 samples, and after EDTA in 6 samples. Lymphocytes could be demonstrated in 2 of the heparin samples, in 2 of the hirudin samples, and in 8 of the EDTA samples. The results show that the choice of an anticoagulant has an essential influence on leucocyte adhesivity. In future it has to be found out which anticoagulant ressembles the most the in-vivo conditions.
