Thromb Haemost 2014; 111(06): 1009-1014
DOI: 10.1160/TH13-11-0937
Clinical Focus
Schattauer GmbH

Circulating microparticles: challenges and perspectives of flow cytometric assessment

Eduard Shantsila
1   University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
,
Silvia Montoro-García
1   University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
2   Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, University of Murcia, Spain
,
Pilar Gallego
1   University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
,
Gregory Y. H. Lip
1   University of Birmingham Centre for Cardiovascular Sciences, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 14 November 2013

Accepted after minor revision: 07 January 2014

Publication Date:
21 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Circulating blood microparticles are likely to play a significant role as messengers of biological information. Their accurate quantification and characterisation is challenging and needs to be carefully designed with preferable usage of fresh minimally-processed blood samples. Utilisation of flow cytometers specifically designed for analysis of small-size particles is likely to provide considerable methodological advantages and should be the preferable option. This viewpoint manuscript provides a critical summary of the key methodological aspects of microparticle analysis.

Note: The review process for this viewpoint article was fully handled by Christian Weber, Editor in Chief.