Thrombocyturia after Aspirin

Abstract

To the Editor: With great interest we read the article of Drs. Harker and Slichter, "Platelet and Fibrinogen Consumption in Man" (N Engl J Med 287:999–1005, 1972). By using the high percentage of megathrombocytes as index,¹ we came to the same conclusion as the authors that patients with the hemolytic-uremic syndrome have an increased platelet turnover. Our coagulation studies, too, were not compatible with a defibrination process. However, we disagree with their statement that "the capacity of an agent to inhibit platelet function in vitro is not necessarily indicative of its effect in vivo, as illustrated by the failure of... . . .