top of page
Multplate Analyser

A reliable tool for testing platelet function

The Multiplate® system is a valuable tool in assessing platelet function and evaluating the efficacy of antiplatelet therapies, helping to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient care with small volumes of whole blood.

About

01

Blood platelets play a pivotal role in physiological haemostasis. Assessment of platelet function is important in diagnosing and managing bleeding or clotting disorders & monitoring antiplatelet therapies,

There are over 1000 publications to date describing the methodology and use of the Multiplate in platelet testing to guide haemostasis.

02

Disorders of platelet function in general manifest most clearly as either bleeding or thrombotic disorders, hence platelet function testing can be utilized in the analysis of inherited and acquired platelet function disorders.

03

Multiplate may be used as a pre-surgical and/or perioperative tool to aid in the prediction of bleeding, for monitoring the efficacy of various types of prohemostatic therapies, and may be used to help determine the timing of surgery , the "teherapeutic window"after stopping antiplatelet therapy.

04

Multiplate® results may be used to assess platelet function perioperatively & integrated into institution Critical Bleeding Protocols to reduce platelet transfusion rates, and risks from potential complications of platelet transfusion. Reduced platelet transfusions may also help to reduce costs and support your PBM Program outocmes.

Multiplate Logo

How does Multiplate work?

The term Multiplate is derived from the phrase “multiple platelet function analyzer”.​

Multiple stands for the multiple electrodes in the disposable test cell (4 electrodes form 2 independent sensor units), multiple channels of the instrument (5) as well as multiple test procedures available for a comprehensive assessment of platelet function.

The principle of Multiplate® analysis is based on the fact that platelets become sticky upon activation and adhere and aggregate onto the metal sensor wires in the Multiplate® test cell. 

 

The multiplate analyser works by measuring changes in electrical impedance caused by platelet aggregation.

 

When activated, platelets adhere to the sensor wires and the electrical resistance between the wires increases.

 

By using multiple channels, or wells, in which whole blood samples are exposed to different agonists, which are substances that induce platelet activation and aggregation.

 

It measures the rate and extent of platelet aggregation in response to these agonists, providing information about platelet function and the effectiveness of antiplatelet drugs.

Multiplate Platelet Reagents and Platelet Receptors

Testing Options

ADP Test

In the ADP test, platelets are activated by ADP, which triggers several receptors on the platelet surface.

 

Clopidogrel and related drugs block the P2Y12 receptor, which is believed to be the most important receptor for ADP on the platelet surface.

TRAP Test

In the TRAP test, platelets are activated by TRAP-6, a peptide that mimics the activation of platelets by the action of thrombin.

 

Thrombin is the most potent platelet activator. The action of thrombin is not blocked by the antiplatelet agents Aspirin® or clopidogrel.

 

However, thrombin (and TRAP-6) activated platelets are blocked by the action of GPIIb/IIIa antagonists (e.g., ReoPro®, Aggrastat®, and Integrilin®).

ASPI Test

In the ASPI test, platelets are activated by arachidonic acid, which is converted by the platelet cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-1) to the potent platelet agonist thromboxane A2.

 

Arachidonic acid alone is not a platelet agonist and is the physiological substrate of the platelet COX-1. Therefore, platelet activation in the ASPI test allows very sensitive and specific detection of Aspirin® action.

ADP-HS ( PGE) Test

PGE1 enhances the sensitivity of the ADP test to platelet function inhibition, especially to the effect of clopidogrel in research studies. Moreover, the addition of a higher dose of PGE1 into the sample can induce an abnormal aggregation in the ADP test, which allows the performance of positive control.

 

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) is used in combination with the ADP test reagent.

Multiplate is 

LOW COST - Compared to cartridge-based systems FAST- results in 10 mins. EASY to use  - Semi-Automated SMALL - blood volumes STANDARDISED - Windows-based  interactive software CONNECTED - LIS/HIS connectivity  SUPPORTED - by RCPA External Quality Control Program

Features & Benefits

  • Whole blood, no sample processing

  • Semi-Automated for ease of use

  • Customisable for research use

  • (300 µl)Low blood volumes

  • Internal QC checks to ensure quality results

  • 10 minutes time to results

  • Windows-based interface

  • Graphical and numeric results for easy interpretation

  • LIS/HIS Connectivity

Multiplate at pointof care

For more information on Multiplate please contact us any time

bottom of page