T2 magnetic resonance (T2MR) technology from T2 Biosystems Inc, Lexington, Mass, has the potential to provide a more sensitive and biologically relevant readout of platelet dysfunction than traditional diagnostic methodologies, including light transmission aggregometry (LTA), according to a new study.1

John McDonough, T2 Biosystems.

John McDonough, T2 Biosystems.

“We are very encouraged by this study, as this represents some of the most extensive data for using T2MR technology to measure platelet activity and also shows some important advantages over the current standard of care, LTA,” says John McDonough, chief executive of T2 Biosystems.

“Among those advantages, we saw that T2MR detected platelet function at similar or lower platelet counts than LTA,” says McDonough. “In addition, it appeared to be more sensitive to residual platelet function than LTA. Further, smaller blood volumes were required, little to no sample preparation was needed, and turnaround time to result was faster.”

Despite being labor-intensive, being available only in specialized laboratories, and requiring particular technical expertise, LTA remains a mainstay for the measurement of platelet function in patients with qualitative platelet disorders or those suspected of having platelet function disorders.

Because LTA does not involve activation of coagulation, however, it assesses the relationship between platelets and fibrinogen rather than the more physiologically relevant relationship between platelets and fibrin.

T2MR is a novel platform that measures hemostasis in whole blood, requires small blood volumes, is technically simple, and yields results in minutes. The recent study aimed to develop a more rapid assay for platelet function using T2MR. In addition, it analyzed patients with known platelet dysfunction and then evaluated agreement between T2MR and LTA.

For more information, visit T2 Biosystems.

REFERENCE

  1. Cuker A, Husseinzadeh H, Lebedeva T, et al. Rapid evaluation of platelet function with T2 magnetic resonance. Am J Clin Pathol. 2017;146(6):681–693; doi: 10.1093/ajcp/aqw189.