Assessment of a platelet function analyser in horses: Reference range and influence of a platelet aggregation inhibitor

In normal horses, means ± SD value for CT-ADP was 85.1 ± 13.1 s (median, 82 s), and CT-EPI ranged from 158 to >300 s (median 291 s). Calculated reference ranges were 60.5-115.9 s and 158.5->300 s for CT-ADP and CT-EPI, respectively. Administration of ASA significantly (P < 0.001) prolonged CT-ADP values from 91.0 ± 13 to 113.5 ± 14.4 s, and CT-EPI values were also significantly (P < 0.008) prolonged after ASA administration. Sensitivity and specificity results for ADP cartridges showed that a prolonged CT value would be highly suggestive of a platelet aggregation inhibition. In conclusion, ADP cartridges can be used in horses to assess primary haemostasis and may be a valuable test for the detection of platelet aggregation inhibition.