Mechanical properties and cellular content of leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin membranes of patients on antithrombotic drugs

Introduction The aim of this study was to examine the potential influence of antithrombotics on leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) membranes. Methods Tensile tests and cell counts were performed with L-PRF membranes originating from patients on anticoagulants and antiplatelets versus patients not taking antithrombotics. Results For the tensile tests, 13 control patients, 12 on anticoagulants, and 10 on antiplatelets donated blood. Compared to controls, membranes from anticoagulated donors were weaker (strength 0.57 +/- 0.24 MPa vs. 0.80 +/- 0.27 MPa, p = .03) and could not be stretched as far (1.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.3 times the initial length, p = .01). For the cell counting, 23 control patients, 16 on anticoagulants, and 16 on antiplatelets donated blood. The percentage of platelets was +/- 50% in the three groups. The percentage of leukocytes was lower in the anticoagulant group compared with controls (69 +/- 10% vs. 78 +/- 8%, p = .04). However, because of the unknown error of method, it is questionable whether the statistical significance is meaningful. There was no difference between membranes from the control group and the group on antiplatelets. Conclusion Our results indicate that L-PRF membranes originating from patients on anticoagulants are weaker, stretch less far, and contain less leukocytes than L-PRF membranes of patients not taking these drugs.